"My best opportunity so far in my career" - Tom Pidcock wants to add road world title to complete rainbow jersey set
CyclingThursday, 24 September 2026 at 16:40
Tom Pidcock is one of the leading candidates to win the World Championships men's elite road race this Sunday in Montréal, Canada. If he does so, he will also become the first ever male reigning road and mountain bike World Champion.
This weekend means a lot for Pidcock who finds himself in an unexpected position towards the men's elite road race. Whereas before, Tadej Pogacar's presence overshadowed the chances of most riders; his absence leads to an openness that favours riders such as the witty Briton.
"It definitely suits me with the length of climbs," Pidcock said in an interview, as reported by the Olympics' website. Second at Milano-Sanremo this spring behind only the current World Champion, Pidcock knows what its like to fight for the victory at the end of long and hilly races where the pressure factor is as high as it could be.
During his time at INEOS, Pidcock's few victories were all of a notable level: Strade Bianche, Amstel Gold Race and an Alpe d'Huez summit finish were part of his five-win tally. Off-road, he has won Olympic MTB titles and a world title in cyclocross.
But a world title on the road is still eluding him. "Regardless of everything else, becoming road world champion would be something that would be truly amazing in my career. It's going to be so hard to win".
Double World title for Pidcock?
Less than one month ago, Pidcock became World Champion in Mountain Biking. The XCO discipline is no stranger to him, a two-time Olympic Champion by now; but the ease in transition between disciplines remains something very few can achieve.
Mathieu van der Poel, for example, has once again struggled with the transition, and was nowhere near the rainbow jersey that the Pinarello - Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team obtained.
Now this Sunday, Pidcock can make history by holding both jerseys at the same time.
"I think this is my best opportunity so far in my career, that's for sure. Having said that, I think the depth is so deep [that] my name's [not] still on the podium yet. I think it's quite an open race and... it's my best shot so far."
Read also
Pidcock looking to bring Great Britain back to the top
The last time Great Britain won the men's elite road race world title was back in 2011, with Mark Cavendish taking the victory in Copenhagen - in a bunch sprint. Before, only Tom Simpson managed to do it in 1965. A country with so much tradition in the sport only has two names to have worn this very jersey, whilst Pidcock could become the third.
"I think I'm very aware of the British history in cycling. And also the Tour de France success that we've had. It's not normal, shall we say".
"It's not to be taken for granted... so that's why it's a World Championship; and that's one of the most important races of the year."
Rúben SilvaEditor-in-Chief
A founding contributor to CyclingUpToDate since its launch in January 2022, Ruben Silva has played a central role in shaping the site’s editorial direction and long-term growth. Before joining the project, he built his experience through independent blogging at Echelons Hub and by producing race previews for Ciclismo Internacional, developing a strong analytical voice rooted in daily engagement with professional cycling.
Beyond editorial work, he has been closely involved in the expansion and coordination of CyclingUpToDate’s wider network, helping establish and support sister platforms across multiple languages. This includes ongoing collaboration with CiclismoAlDia (Spanish), CiclismoAtual (Portuguese), WielrennenUpToDate (Dutch), and RadsportAktuell (German), contributing to a shared editorial vision and consistent international coverage.
He also helps oversee editorial governance across the network, setting standards for accuracy and consistency and coordinating updates or corrections when needed.
Originally from the Porto metropolitan area in Portugal, he holds a bachelor’s degree in Geography. His path into cycling journalism was shaped not through formal media training, but through independent reporting, community engagement, and sustained on-the-ground involvement in the sport.
Over the course of his career, he has conducted approximately 100 interviews across road cycling and cyclocross, ranging from one-to-one conversations and online formats to press conferences and on-site pre- and post-race coverage. His interviews include leading riders, team managers, and prominent figures within cycling media: Tadej Pogacar, Jonas Vingegaard, Mathieu van der Poel, Primoz Roglic, Wout van Aert, Joao Almeida and Tom Pidcock; managers like Patrick Lefevere and Joxean Matxin; and YouTube personality Bryan Kennedy (BKXC)...
Within 18 months of launch, he helped grow CyclingUpToDate’s English-language platform into one of the most-read cycling news websites, built entirely from the ground up. As both a professional journalist and lifelong cycling enthusiast, his focus remains on delivering accurate, timely, and well-contextualized coverage.
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- this is going to be such a great race - so many top riders fighting to battle it out, and it is wide open.mij24-09-2026
- In 2024 Tadej said: I actually like Remco, he speaks his mind which in many situations is OK and good, but sometimes it would be good to say nothing. It depends on the situation. I have a good time with him, we laugh and joke around a bit."PogiSloFans24-09-2026
- I think MVDP and Tadej like him a lot too. not sure about europeans, small e intentional as everything in europe is smaller than the USA.mij24-09-2026
- Especially when they see that redneck maga cyclist, wrapped in an ugly american flag, with long hair and a mustache. Boo maga boooooooo ...PogiSloFans24-09-2026
- "My pick for the win is Isaac Del Toro" Hey Santiego, I would be thrilled if Del Toro won. I hope your words become gold... because Del Toro is the "student" of "professor" Pogi. :)) If Wout V. Aert wins, I will also be happy. He's a great cyclist and a good person, more good hearted and kind compared to Remco, but Remco is also a BIG favorite.PogiSloFans24-09-2026
- I like Pidcock. He's one of the few riders that can give Pogi a good battle: Strade Bianche, MSR and other occasions. At MSR, this year, he went with Pogi to the finish line... yikes, he almost beat him.PogiSloFans24-09-2026
- OMG, how many records can be set in only one WC road race: Remco or Del Toro or Seixas or... ??? All because of one cyclist, that didn't make it to the WC. The same course in Montreal where he wins every year. The G.O.A.T. is injured... and some cyclists became lucky... they all got an early Christmas present from Pogi-Santa.PogiSloFans24-09-2026
- Yeah... he's mostly liked by the americans (small letter a)... because his personality is like the maga Trump voters... big mouths.PogiSloFans24-09-2026
- What's the deal with how thick the rainbow stripes are on a former winner's kit? Seems like some of the former World Champs keep their stripes pretty slim, but then Remco has big fat ones (which lowkey irritates me) - is there actually a UCI rule, or is it just rider's discretion?wrsty24-09-2026
- I like Pidcock but he's not a leader. He's a great racer but will never be better than he occasional sage winner or classic guy on the road under the right situation. Ineos wanted him to lead the their team and win stage races, he couldn't take the pressure, which is fine, not everyone can.awp24-09-2026
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