“I don’t expect any fireworks, but hopefully no explosions” – Tom Pidcock measures expectations for final big goal before Tour de France at Liège-Bastogne-Liège

Tom Pidcock arrives at Liège-Bastogne-Liège with a clear sense of where he stands, framing Sunday’s Monument as both a key target and a test of his recovery following his recent crash.

He will be supported by a Pinarello Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team lineup of Xabier Mikel Azparren, Sjoerd Bax, Marcel Camprubi, Chris Harper, Quinten Hermans and Xandro Meurisse.

Speaking to Cycling Pro Net on the eve of the race, the British rider described a steady progression back to form after his enforced time off the bike. “I think every day I’ve been getting better. It was tough getting back into racing with so little time after being off the bike and not much training again. But I’m really happy. Every day I was improving, so I can be fairly positive for tomorrow.”

That improvement, however, comes with measured expectations. “I don’t expect any fireworks, but hopefully just no explosions out the back.”

Pidcock was clear that, despite the progress made during his return, he is not yet back to the level he held before his crash. “No, no chance,” he said when asked if he could reach that form immediately. “But I think it’s already a positive that I’m on the start line here. I’ll just see what I can get out of the race tomorrow.”

That realism defines his approach to Liège, particularly given the level of opposition expected, including Tadej Pogacar and Remco Evenepoel.

The importance of Liège within his spring has only increased following the interruption caused by his crash. “Yeah, this was the last big goal of the first part of the season,” he explained. “So mentally it’s nice that I’ve been able to keep the same schedule, even if it was a bit interrupted.”

That continuity, even in altered form, is something he values. “Now I can have a bit of time off and reset before preparing for the Tour de France. It’s good from that point of view, otherwise it would have been a long time until my next race.”

Pidcock’s outlook reflects a balance between ambition and realism as he returns to Monument racing. “I can be fairly positive for tomorrow,” he said, but that positivity is framed within the context of a rider still rebuilding condition rather than one targeting outright victory.

Liège-Bastogne-Liège, with its length and repeated climbs, will offer a far more demanding test than his return race at the Tour of the Alps earlier in the week.

Beyond the immediate result, Sunday serves as an important reference point. With the Tour de France looming, Liège represents the final major checkpoint before a reset and the next phase of his season.

For now, the expectations remain grounded. But the trajectory, as Pidcock himself has made clear, is moving in the right direction.