“I am definitely starting to feel tired” – Tom Pidcock cautious ahead of Monte Berico test on Giro Stage 13

As the Giro d’Italia reaches Stage 13, much of the pre-race attention has turned to Tom Pidcock, widely tipped as the favourite for today’s uphill finish on Monte Berico. After a turbulent first half of the race, including a crash that derailed his chances on the gravel stage to Siena, the Brit is still looking for his first Giro win. But he’s playing down expectations.

“I wouldn’t say that this finish suits me a hundred percent,” Pidcock told Sporza. “It’s a bit too short for me. Bigger riders with more power suit this climb better. But it’s certainly a chance.”

Monte Berico has history at the Giro. Philippe Gilbert powered to victory here in 2015, but Pidcock isn’t drawing too many comparisons. “That Philippe Gilbert won in 2015? I didn’t watch the images and Gilbert was a different type,” he noted, careful not to overstate his chances.

Still, Pidcock remains one of the strongest punchy climbers in the peloton, and if the stage plays out aggressively, he’s more than capable of making the difference. That said, fatigue may be creeping in. “I am definitely starting to feel tired. Every day flows into the next and we are riding very fast every day,” he admitted. “Fortunately yesterday was a bit quieter.”