Tom Pidcock made his much-anticipated debut with the Q36.5 Professional Biking Workforce on the AlUla Tour on Monday, admitting that leaving Ineos Grenadiers through the winter was an opportunity for a brand new begin to his profession.
“Issues modified, and I felt a giant weight off my shoulders, a giant sense of reduction and freedom. It’s actually refreshing and motivating,” Pidcock instructed the host broadcaster of the AlUla Tour.
The Yorkshireman is straight away aiming excessive within the Saudi Arabian desert, seeking to assist Q36.5 make a splash as race organisers determine the wildcard invites to the Giro d’Italia, Vuelta a España and different main races.
Pidcock tried to go for a late time bonus dash within the opening stage on the AlUla Tour, however his lead-out was ultimately overtaken by Fredrik Dversnes (Uno-X Mobility), Jens Reynders (Wagner Bazin WB) and Frank van den Broek Picnic-PostNL) who appeared to have the identical thought. Pidcock completed safely within the peloton as teammate Matteo Moschetti was fourth behind winner Tim Merlier (Soudal-QuickStep).
“It is a good race to begin,” Pidcock stated pre-race after arriving in Saudi Arabia late on Sunday after a delayed and redirected constitution flight from Europe.
“It is early within the 12 months, however I wished to begin earlier. I’ve by no means raced on this a part of the world earlier than, so it is a new expertise.”
The 5 days of racing within the desert embrace three phases for the sprinters. Pidcock is concentrated on the opposite, far tougher phases that can determine the general basic classification.
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Tuesday’s 157.7km second stage is to Bir Jaydah mountain Wirkah and consists of a number of climbs. The ultimate 54km consists of two laps of a hilly ending circuit. The ultimate climb to the road is 2.9km lengthy at 9.2%.
Stage 4 ends with the steep ramp as much as the Skyviews of Harrat Uwayrid, with the winner more likely to acquire sufficient time to safe total victory. Simon Yates on the stage in 2024 to win total. Eddie Dunbar defends Jayco AlUla’s hopes this 12 months, however Pidcock is his largest rival.
“I believe they’re going to come collectively,” Pidcock stated when requested if he would goal stage victories or the GC.
“The one factor that might throw a spanner within the works is the wind. In case you miss it, that is the GC gone, in any other case it will be gained on seconds.”
Pidcock has already accepted that Q36.5 is not going to safe a wildcard invitation to the 2025 Tour de France however has different objectives. Q36.5 acquired a wildcard invitation to Paris-Roubaix and hopes others will quickly observe. He appears assured of a trip in Italy in March, and so a return to Strade Bianche, which he gained in 2023 and a shot at Milan-San Remo.
“I’ll trip Ruta del Sol, the Opening Weekend and particularly the Italian block,” he instructed the Dutch web site Indeleiderstrui.
Pidcock already appears relaxed Q36.5, glad to place the tensions and divorce from Ineos Grenadiers behind him. Little is thought about what occurred after the Tour de France, the affect of the revelations of the Netflix documentary and the workforce administration’s choice to not choose Pidcock for Il Lombardia.
He insisted he has fitted in effectively at Q36.5 after the workforce welcomed him with open arms.
“It’s a lot, a lot simpler to trip in a brand new workforce than I may have imagined. I simply jumped in and tailored to the ambiance immediately. That went easily,” Pidcock stated.
“As a result of I have not carried out cyclocross, I’ve had a barely completely different preparation. However that is working effectively. I’ve had an excellent winter and have not had any disruptions when it comes to sickness and so forth. I actually cannot complain, and I am trying ahead to beginning the season.”
Pidcock shall be in Saudi Arabia this week as an alternative of making ready for the UCI Cyclocross World Championships. He gained the world title in 2022 within the USA, however opted to not race any cyclocross races this winter.
“To be trustworthy, I did not miss cyclocross in any respect this winter,” Pidcock stated.
‘The truth that I did not miss it’s also as a result of I did not watch any races. However I do not watch highway races both; the one factor I see on TV is mountain biking.
“I used to be occupied. I modified groups, that is why. Does it imply something for the approaching years? No, subsequent 12 months I plan to return to cyclocross.”