ANALYSIS: What can Tom Pidcock learn from Mathieu van der Poel ahead of his debut for Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team

Tom Pidcock’s move from INEOS Grenadiers to the Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team has sparked widespread debate in the cycling community, and has been the main talking point of the winter so far. Pidcock’s immense talent has been undeniable, yet his tenure at INEOS was fraught with challenges that seemed to hinder his growth.

As Pidcock embarks on a new chapter, the blueprint laid down by Mathieu van der Poel at Alpecin-Deceuninck could offer a guide for success. Van der Poel has set a benchmark for balancing leadership, multidiscipline dominance, and thriving as the star rider of a smaller team. Pidcock’s move to Q36.5 may provide him with the freedom to follow a similar path, so lets take a look at how.

Mathieu van der Poel is already regarded as one of the greatest multi-disciplinary riders in history. His list of achievements spans cyclocross, road cycling, gravel, and mountain biking. With six cyclocross World Championships, three Tour of Flanders victories, two Paris-Roubaix triumph, and world titles both on the road and gravel, van der Poel’s versatility and consistency have redefined modern cycling.

Van der Poel’s importance to Alpecin-Deceuninck cannot be overstated. As teammate Jasper Philipsen observed, “He’s an inspiration to everyone in our team.” Van der Poel’s presence elevates the morale and performance of his teammates while maintaining his own dominance across disciplines. Remember, aside from van der Poel’s personal accolades, he has spent the past three editions of the Tour de France delivering Jasper Philipsen to sprint victory after sprint victory. His ability to focus on his strengths, balance his race schedule, and deliver in marquee events has solidified his status as a generational talent.

While van der Poel’s collection of rainbow jerseys is extensive, the mountain biking title remains elusive. This missing piece is something he might target in 2025, setting up a potential showdown with Pidcock, who claimed the mountain bike World Championship in 2023 and has already won Olympic mountain biking gold twice. Van der Poel’s desire to conquer this discipline, as well as his ambition to compete in the 2028 Olympic mountain bike event, underscores his relentless pursuit of excellence. Let’s hope we don’t have to wait too much longer for a showdown between van der Poel and Pidcock on mountain bikes.

At INEOS Grenadiers, Pidcock was surrounded by some exceptionally talented riders, making it difficult for him to emerge as the clear leader. The team’s structure, built around grand tour dominance and collective strength, left little room for Pidcock’s unique personality and ambitions to flourish. As Pidcock himself noted, “That team was like a second family to me,” but the environment ultimately stifled his potential.

Pidcock’s character and style clashed with the more rigid approach of INEOS. Known for his flair and unpredictable riding style, he found it challenging to navigate a team where roles were often predetermined. While Pidcock achieved notable successes, including a stunning solo victory on Alpe d’Huez during the 2022 Tour de France, these moments were overshadowed by a sense of unfulfilled promise. The move to Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team represents an opportunity to escape the constraints of a large, hierarchical team and assume a leadership role akin to van der Poel’s at Alpecin-Deceuninck.

Pidcock was never truly able to kick on from his stage win at the 2022 Tour, and in 2023 he had a failed attempt at riding for the GC where he was ultimately usurped by Carlos Rodriguez. Whilst he nearly won the gravel stage at last year’s edition of the race, a man of Pidcock’s talent should not be a ‘nearly’ man.

Van der Poel’s success at Alpecin-Deceuninck highlights the advantages of being the undisputed leader of a smaller team. Unlike INEOS, which operates with a collective approach, Alpecin-Deceuninck has tailored its strategy around van der Poel. This setup has allowed him to focus on his goals without the distractions of competing for leadership. But, Van der Poel has also done his bit for the team, and Pidcock still won’t be able to ride solely for his own goals, he has to find a way to lead as well.

Pidcock’s move to Q36.5 offers a similar opportunity to his Dutch rival. As the star rider, he will have the freedom to shape his race calendar, focus on his preferred disciplines, and build a team dynamic centred around his strengths. This level of autonomy could unlock the potential that was only glimpsed during his time at INEOS, and that’s something all fans of the sport want to see.

Both Pidcock and van der Poel thrive on competing across disciplines, a rare trait in modern cycling. Pidcock’s mountain biking talent, highlighted by his two Olympic gold medals and the 2023 World Championship title, is a key differentiator. In contrast, van der Poel’s dominance in the classics road racing and cyclocross has set him apart. The prospect of these two riders clashing in mountain biking events, such as the 2025 World Championships, adds another layer of intrigue to their rivalry.

For Pidcock, maintaining his success across disciplines will be crucial. Van der Poel has shown that it is possible to excel in multiple areas without sacrificing performance, however, achieving this balance requires meticulous planning and a team structure that supports such ambitions. Q36.5’s willingness to back Pidcock in his multidiscipline pursuits will be a significant factor in his success.

Van der Poel’s career has not been without challenges. His disappointing crash at the 2021 Olympic mountain biking event and occasional struggles in grand tours, in particular during the 2022 Tour de France, have tested his resilience. However, van der Poel has consistently bounced back, using these setbacks as motivation to improve, and he seems to get better and better every year.

Pidcock’s experience at INEOS can be seen in a similar light. While his time there may not have lived up to expectations, it provided valuable lessons about navigating the complexities of professional cycling. The key for Pidcock will be to channel these experiences into his new role at Q36.5, using them as a foundation for growth.

Despite the challenges, Pidcock’s talent is undeniable. His ability to excel in high-pressure situations, combined with his unbelievable skills on the bike, makes him one of the most exciting riders of his generation. The move to Q36.5 represents a fresh start and an opportunity to realise his full potential.

Van der Poel’s achievements demonstrate what is possible when a rider’s talent is harnessed effectively. Pidcock has all the tools to follow a similar trajectory. With the right support and a clear vision, he could become a dominant force across disciplines, and we hope to see more of Pidcock in the mix with the likes of Van der Poel and Wout van Aert in the years to come.

It’s also important to emphasise the Pidcock and Q36.5 need to quickly come to a conclusion about what Pidcock wants to be as a rider. Yes, he’s super talented, but is he a grand tour rider? That remains to be seen, and many believe that his talent is more suited to try to turn himself into a rider like Van der Poel or Van Aert on the road. I guess that presents the question, does Pidcock have more of a chance going up against Van der Poel and Van Aert in stages and classics, or against Tadej Pogacar and Jonas Vingegaard in the general classification of grand tours?

So, Tom Pidcock’s move to Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team marks a pivotal moment in his career. By studying Mathieu van der Poel’s blueprint for success, Pidcock can position himself as the star leader of a smaller team, leveraging his talent and versatility to achieve greatness, and to fulfil his potential. While the challenges of his time at INEOS have left unanswered questions, they have also provided valuable lessons that could shape his future.

Van der Poel’s status as arguably the best multi-disciplinary rider of all time sets a high standard, but Pidcock has shown that he has the potential to reach similar heights. As he embarks on this new chapter, the cycling world will be watching closely to see if Pidcock can fulfil his promise and find his own way to the pinnacle of professional cycling.