"I am looking for a good result in the GC" - Tom Pidcock hoping to bolster Tour de France hopes with solid Tirreno-Adriatico

After a solid defence to his Strade Bianche title, finishing 4th in Italy last Saturday, Tom Pidcock is now switching his attention to Tirreno-Adriatico and the general classification.

"I am looking for a good result in the general classification and also to come out of the race in a good place with Milano-Sanremo in mind," Pidcock said in a press release ahead of the race. The INEOS Grenadiers starlet will face stiff competition in the fight for GC however, as the likes of Jonas Vingegaard, Juan Ayuso and Tao Geoghegan Hart take to the startline among others.

With the British-based INEOS Grenadies hoping Pidcock can be their new, home-grown Grand Tour contender, Tirreno-Adriatico is the latest step in the development of the 24-year-old. "This is one of the four stage races that I am riding for the Tour de France this year," he explains. "So it's not the most important race for me this year, but I still want to put in a consistent performance this week."

"But I don't forget what I actually enjoy doing most and that is winning, so a stage win would also be nice," Pidcock concludes. "This season I've put more work into my time trial bike to improve it massively, so that's one of the training changes for me this season."