"He could be on the podium in Madrid" - Adam Blythe believes Tom Pidcock can 'go all the way' at La Vuelta 2025

Adam Blythe believes Tom Pidcock has announced himself as a genuine podium contender at the 2025 Vuelta a Espana, following his standout ride on stage nine that catapulted him into fourth place overall.

Speaking on TNT Sports after Jonas Vingegaard’s devastating attack secured his second stage win of the race, Blythe argued that Pidcock’s performance was the clearest evidence yet that he can mix it with the best climbers in the world and sustain a challenge for the general classification.

“This is what we’ve been questioning — if he can do this or not,” the former British national champion said. “His goal is to finish in the top 10 of the Vuelta, and that was a clear marker that he’s ready. If he can keep doing it, not only will he be top 10, he’ll probably be on the podium when we get to Madrid.”

Blythe emphasised that the key now is consistency. “This is the hard part for him: doing that day in, day out. But when Tom dedicates himself to something, normally he does it very well. I can see him going all the way.”

Blythe's fellow British ex-pro Matt Stephens was equally impressed by the 26-year-old’s ability to not only hold Almeida’s wheel in the finale but also out-sprint him for second on the stage.

“It was a proper staring contest between Almeida and Pidcock,” Stephens said. “Almeida swung across, looked at him, told him to ‘grow some balls,’ and Tom still had the strength to put him away at the line. That wasn’t tactical — that was a man on the limit. But he’s learning, and to be able to laugh about it afterwards shows his maturity.”

For Stephens, the real significance was not just the result but the way the Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team rallied around their leader. “His team rode really well, completely galvanised around him. Tom looks happy, there’s a good atmosphere in that squad, and this is a new trajectory we’ve never seen before for him. It’s exciting, especially ahead of the rest day.”

The day itself was defined by Vingegaard’s explosive attack on the lower slopes of the final climb, a move Blythe described as “like coming into the final 200 metres of a sprint race.” With Matteo Jorgenson setting him up, the Dane surged clear in devastating fashion, leaving Giulio Ciccone floundering and eventually cracking.

Stephens highlighted the tactical dimension, noting that Team Visma | Lease a Bike had insisted they would wait until the second and third weeks to go on the offensive. “They ripped up the script,” he said. “It was a brilliant psychological ambush. Trek had ridden hard all day trying to keep the break under control, but Jonas just detonated the race at the bottom of the climb.”

The result pushed Vingegaard closer to race leader Torstein Traeen, who hung on to red but looked vulnerable under pressure. Almeida, too, impressed with his sustained aggression, but it was Pidcock’s ability to live with the accelerations and finish strongly that drew the most attention in the studio.

What makes Pidcock’s performance so striking is how it reframes his role at this Vuelta. Known more for his versatility and punch on one-day terrain, he is now showing the durability required to compete with the pure climbers. Stephens underlined the significance: “We’ve never seen him properly in the GC mix like this. To ride as he did, with the whole team behind him, is a big step forward.”

Blythe echoed the sentiment: “That was one clear marker that he’s right up there where he should be. There’s no reason why he can’t back this up. If he does, he could be standing on the podium in Madrid.”

For context, Pidcock admitted in his post-stage interview that he felt cautious at times and struggled to contribute fully to Almeida’s effort, but his final kick was enough to secure second place. That, combined with his jump from 11th to fourth on GC, marks a breakthrough moment.

The rest day has offered Q36.5 a chance to regroup and consolidate their position. Pidcock now sits just 1:35 behind Traeen, and only 58 seconds off Vingegaard, with Almeida and Felix Gall also in close contention.

For Stephens, the outlook is clear: “Whatever happens, this is a new trajectory for Tom and it’s pretty exciting.”

And for Blythe, the message is even more direct. “He could be on the podium in Madrid. There’s a long way to go, but he’s shown he belongs right up there.”