"Holiday time. The beach is calling" - Tom Pidcock ends standout 2025 season after Lombardia, Gravel Worlds double-header
Cycling
Tom Pidcock has brought the curtain down on a landmark 2025 season in style — and, at last, he’s allowing himself a well-earned break. Posting on Instagram after one of the most punishing weekends of his career, the Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team star reflected on a season that has seen him evolve from exciting talent to proven Grand Tour contender.
“Holiday time. The beach is calling,” Pidcock wrote, capturing both exhaustion and satisfaction after tackling the back-to-back challenge of Il Lombardia and the Gravel World Championships. “Lombardy and Worlds Gravel Champs in the same weekend… Why not! Legs are feeling it now!”
A brutal double-header
Saturday’s Il Lombardia saw Pidcock tackle one of cycling’s most iconic and punishing classics. Despite the ambitious effort, he crossed the line in sixth, 4:16 behind a dominant Tadej Pogacar. “We came for more but I have to be happy with 6th on the day. I will be back,” he said, showing the patience and determination that have characterised his rise.
Less than 24 hours later, Pidcock lined up for the Gravel World Championships in the Netherlands, tackling unfamiliar terrain with minimal preparation. In a chaotic, high-intensity race, he again finished sixth, crediting his Pinarello bike for helping him navigate the unpredictable course. “Not the prep I would normally have for a Worlds but really enjoyed the day. Just all out mayhem from the start, great fun,” he said.
Grand Tour breakthrough
Pidcock’s 2025 season has been remarkable beyond this autumn double. The year began with a general classification win at the AlUla Tour, and strong early-season results in European races, including second at Strade Bianche, signalled a rider capable of mixing it with the very best.
His most significant achievement came at the Vuelta a Espana, where he earned third overall — his first Grand Tour podium. It was a clear statement: Pidcock is no longer just a one-day star, but a versatile contender on the biggest stage. Strong showings in autumn Classics, including the Giro dell’Emilia, further emphasised his consistency and growing tactical maturity.
Reflecting on the season, Pidcock thanked his team: “Very happy with the season as a whole and what we have achieved as a team Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team. Thank you everyone for your support. 2026 looking to be bigger and better than ever.”
For now, though, it’s time to swap the pedals for sand. After a season of podiums, punishing races, and boundary-pushing challenges, the bike stays at home — and the beach is calling.
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Kieran WoodDeputy Editor-in-Chief
Kieran Wood is a sports journalist based in Wales and has been active in journalism since 2022. He regularly contributes to DartsNews.com and CyclingUpToDate.com, where he covers professional cycling and darts. In cycling, his work includes liveblogs from major races, including the Tour de France, the Giro d’Italia, and La Vuelta a España, alongside race reports and analysis. He has also conducted interviews with professional riders.
His reporting spans the full racing calendar, from one-day classics to stage races, with a focus on accurate, real-time coverage and clear contextual analysis. For statistics, results, and historical context, he regularly uses resources such as ProCyclingStats. To support reporting on rider activity and training context where relevant, he also references Strava.
In his work, Kieran places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles as new, verified information becomes available.
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