Cycling. Road – Tom Pidcock: “Glad not to have to do the Tour this year”

Tom Pidcock decided to change horizons for the 2025 season by joining the Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team during the offseason. In an interview given for Cycling flashthe 25-year-old Briton explained the reasons for his departure fromINEOS Grenardiers at the end of a “difficult last year.” He also returned to the program that awaits him for this new season, with the ambition to stand out in the classics and the discovery of Tour of Italy in line of sight.

Video – Tom Pidcock during the Omloop Het Nieuwsblad

At INEOS, “things did not go as planned”

After four great seasons within the team led by John Maxwell Allert, Tom Pidcock was no longer on the same page with the British team. “I signed my contract with people other than those who currently manage the team. This created a number of difficulties” confessed the former cyclo-cross world champion. “I don't think things went as planned, or at least as I imagined. The best solution was to decide together to end our contract.” His arrival at the Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team was motivated by the trust given by the team from the first discussions. “From the first meeting, my heart decided that I would go here. But my mind debated it for a long time. The difference was mainly in the confidence they had in me and our shared vision of success. In addition, I have the freedom here to do the shopping I want.” pointed out Pidcockwho loves racing cyclo-cross events so much during the winter.

The discovery of the Giro on the program

Within the training ProTeamthe stage winner on the Tour de France remains uncertain about the races in which he will take part. His team must first be allocated wild cards before they can fully plan their program for the coming year. “Not being sure of participating in certain races is a new situation that I have to get used to. But we have a reasonable idea of what it will look like in broad terms. Hopefully there will be another Italian block in March. I would really like to run there.” he stressed while he is not yet certain of participating in the White Roadshas Tirreno-Adriatico et Milan-San Remo. The other uncertainty is whether or not his team will participate in the 108th Giro d'Italia, “the biggest question mark” explained Tom Pidcock. “We'll find out soon. Everyone knows I aspire to win the biggest races. For now, I'm focusing on the one-day classics.” And on the Giro? “I will aim for stage victories. If we are also selected for the Vuelta at the end of the year, we will have to see what we do there. We are still far from that at the moment.“

“Nothing to lose, everything to gain”

If the complete program of the Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team is not yet fully known, while the team awaits the response from the organizers following the sending of invitations, the Swiss team will not take the start of the next Tour de France. “It's true that two Grand Tours in one year wouldn't be bad for me. The idea for now is to try to see how far I could go in the ranking, in order to return to the Tour in the future I'm quite happy not to have to do the Tour for a year, then to come back with new motivation.” The British puncher is not worried about his team's performance in 2025. “We will achieve success quickly because we have a fantastic group of riders and staff. I have no expectations at the moment and that's nice sometimes. We have nothing to lose and everything to gain.