With global drinks conglomerate Red Bull joining the sponsorship of
BORA - hansgrohe in 2024, talk of the team signing Red Bull-sponsored riders didn't take long to start whirring. In the most tangible sign of such rumour having depth, talks have reportedly opened for
Tom Pidcock.
According to the respected Italian journalist of La Gazzetta dello Sport, Ciro Scognamiglio, "BORA - hansgrohe is interested to sign Tom Pidcock already for 2025," he writes on his X (Twitter) account, explaining how the deal is a genuine possibility. "The current Olympic and world champion MTB has already a contract with
INEOS Grenadiers till 2027. Talks in progress, difficult but not impossible we understand."
It would definitely be a surprise to see the INEOS Grenadiers willing to part ways with Pidcock, having spent so much time and resources in him over recent season and being very vocal in their desire to make the Brit the figurehead of the new-era of the team. Pidcock himself meanwhile has continued to impress this year, taking a big victory at the Amstel Gold Race and the 24-year-old will continue his development as a potential Grand Tour contender of the future at the Tour de France later this summer, fully backed by the INEOS Grenadiers.
Fellow Red Bull-sponsored riders such as Wout van Aert have also been linked to BORA - hansgrohe since the announcement of the company's added investment into the team, although those within the set-up have spoken previously of a desire to build the next generation of stars, rather than buy ready-made world beaters from their rivals.
What do you think? Would Pidcock to BORA be a good move? Use the poll below to cast your vote!
Talking to Kat is a waste of time, you know. She is just a troll
Better to be a British rider on a British team with English media abounding.
When the going is good, yes.
Same can be said with british footballers. When it gets good, the foreign ones gets under the bus, even if the british footballers performing like youth footballers
INEOS give Pidcock pretty much a free hand to ride what he wants, on or off road. Why would he want to leave? Also how can Bora have talks with him when he is under contract for the next three years?
Talking is generally not prohibited. You can also discuss new employment whilst you are still employed.
The rules of what’s allowed are pretty strict and those who break them usually pay for it but that’s about all so for deep pockets even that doesn’t scare off, as we saw last year.
I’m not sure Ineos will stay so relaxed in future, at some point they may start expecting more and I’m worried he might not perform so well under certain kinds of stress.
Yes I agree about INEOS wanting more at some point maybe even next year but the expectations at Bora would be just as high if not higher.
Pidcock is a complicated choice, considering the expected price he would cost, he carries a lot of risk. I fear he may be the early burn-out type.