"If I can battle with Tadej for a little or for a long time, that's a positive" - Tom Pidcock on Pogacar and Strade Bianche

Tom Pidcock is a former winner of Strade Bianche and, last year, the only man who could give Tadej Pogacar a challenge. At his very best level, the Briton can be a threat; but that will also depend on the World Champion not having his best legs on the day.

An off-road specialist (Pidcock is a two-time MTB World Champion and former cyclocross World Champion) and an explosive lightweight rider by nature; Strade Bianche is simply a perfect fit for the Pinarello Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team rider. Not only does he have the capacity to ride the countless short explosive efforts that are required of a race with so many climbs and narrow roads; but he also has the required bike handling to efficiently move through the sterrato sectors.

It is simply a perfect match and last year, he took the race to Pogacar. In the end, even with a crash, the Slovenian could not be stopped; but there is no reason for Pidcock to not attempt to do the same this time around. However, he is also aware that UAE come with a team that is perhaps even stronger - this, despite the absence of last year's third place Tim Wellens - as Isaac del Toro will be at the start line.

"I think the field is perhaps a little bit stronger than last year. We'll see how Decathlon play it, while we know how UAE will play it," Pidcock said at the team presentation this Friday afternoon in Siena. "They don't need to be too secretive about their tactics. It's going to be an interesting race."

"I'm always good here just because it's one of my favourite races, I love the race so much, so I want to perform," he admits. He is amongst the big favourites and after his performances in the Spanish block of racing he had early in the season, there is good reason to believe he will be up there.

"Obviously, we want to try and win, but we obviously know how hard that's going to be, how ambitious that is," the Briton adds. "If I can battle with Tadej for a little or for a long time, that's a positive. If I end up on the podium, that'd be a good result."