"It’s really like nothing else" - Tom Pidcock assesses Tour de France and possible future yellow jersey plans

INEOS Grenadiers' Tom Pidcock has already made a big impact during his short Grand Tour career, most notably winning atop Alpe d'Huez at the Tour de France. However for him to ever challenge for overall victory, he believes he needs to change tactics.

He had told CyclingWeekly recently that he was seeking for more than a breakaway win at the Tour de France, however in order to prepare for a Grand Tour he would have to give up of his preparation for the classics.

Having previously won at Brabantse Pijl in 2021 and had podium finishes at Kuurne–Brussels–Kuurne, Dwars door Vlaanderen and the Amstel Gold Race, Pidcock is no stranger to the spring classics. “For me to be at my absolute best, I need a smooth run into a race with good results beforehand that give me confidence with good training and build-up," Pidcock says. “The thing with racing at the Tour now is that it’s just full gas, all the time. When you’re going up the long climbs and you’re at threshold, and then you’re attacking each other it’s just so explosive. It’s really like nothing else.”

Recalling his Tour de France success, Pidcock reveals “I remember the crowds more than anything on Alpe d’Huez, that distracted a lot from winning. When you experience something like that, for the first time, it shakes up all your emotions. At times it just seemed like there was no road in front of me, then suddenly people would move and I could ride through.”