Tom Pidcock has a clear Pogacar plan for Strade Bianche: "That’s why I’m here"

If there’s anyone who might be capable of following Tadej Pogacar at Strade Bianche on Saturday, it’s Tom Pidcock, right? The Brit, who moved from INEOS Grenadiers to Q36.5 Pro Cycling, is in top form and made it clear during Friday’s team presentation that he has come to Tuscany with ambition. However, Pogacar is a major problem, Pidcock admitted.

The two-time Olympic mountain bike champion and former world champion in cyclo-cross and mountain biking knows what it takes to win Strade Bianche. He claimed victory in 2023—coincidentally, a year when Pogacar wasn’t there. But when the Slovenian returned in 2024, Pidcock finished fourth. "But that was mainly because Pogacar attacked on Monte Sante Marie in the middle of a hailstorm. I was completely frozen and couldn’t do anything."

Pidcock doesn’t claim he could have followed Pogacar, but he did admit after last year’s race that he waited too long in the finale—costing him second place. "I’ve raced Strade Bianche many times, and I’m here to win. But with Tadej in the race, it will be predictable. His team will set a high pace for him, and when he goes, you either follow—or you don’t."

Read more below the photo.

Pidcock during Thursday's reconnaissance of Strade Bianche

Pidcock wants to try to follow Pogacar

ABeing in the early breakaway doesn't seem to be in the cards for a rider like Pidcock and according to the Brit, that’s not necessary either. He made it clear that his main goal is to try and follow the best rider in the world. "If you can stay with Tadej when he goes, that’s when the real race begins—and that’s why I’m here. I didn’t come here aiming for second place from the start. I’m in good form, and that's what I rely on once the race begins."

In the week leading up to Strade Bianche, Pidcock admitted he wasn’t feeling great, but his legs started to come around as the days went on. "It’s good for my confidence that people see me as Pogacar’s main challenger, but Tadej is Tadej. My goal is to win, but I have no idea if that’s possible. Let’s just hope we don’t get another hailstorm—then it could be an epic race."

Read more below the photo.

Pidcock already won in Ruta del Sol and took two stages plus the GC in AlUla

"Very fast" course due to the sun in Italy, Pidcock says of Strade Bianche

The weather forecast shows no signs of rain, and Pidcock already noticed during Thursday’s recon that the dry conditions have changed the state of the gravel. "It’s a very fast course, which will undoubtedly make for a high-speed race. Coming back will be difficult—you just have to be there when it all explodes."

Bram van der Ploeg (Twitter: @BvdPloegg | email: [email protected])     

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