Tom Pidcock doesn’t want to repeat the ending of Tour de France of last year. After finishing in 13th position in the general classification in 2023, also thanks to a drop in performance evident in the third week, the rider of the Ineos – Grenadiers had cited the lack of a real concrete goal to achieve as one of the main causes of the collapse in form, and this year he has no intention of repeating the mistake. With just over two weeks left until the start of the 2024 edition of the Grande Boucle, therefore, the desire of the British champion is to find a realistic and concrete objective in the race and to focus on that to bring out the best in himself.
“I will decide how I want my Tour to be this year. – comments the 24 year old from Leeds interviewed by the British agency PA Media – Nobody else. Otherwise you will get nothing from me. I have to be able to believe in my mission at the Tour. I understand perfectly where I want to be and what I have to do to achieve my goal. It’s not always easy, but the people around me know how I work.”
Despite the criticism received (and received with style) in recent months on the lack of results, at least on the road in relation to other runners of similar age such as Tadej Pogacar (UAE Emirates) e Remco Evenepoel (Soudal Quick-Step), Pidcock’s attention is always and only on his work and commitment to achieving the objectives: “I believe that the criticisms are justified – continues the English rider – I haven’t had the great victories on the road that they had them. But if you look at what I’ve done, even though we’re all so young now… In my palmarès at 24 I have Strade Bianche, Amstel Gold Race, a stage at the Tour de France. I am an Olympic and world cyclocross and mountain bike champion. At the end of my career, if I manage to win a Monument or the road world championships, or maybe get a podium at the Tour de France, it would be to have done a career that no one has ever done“.
