“Normally, after mountain biking, I take some time to find my road legs” - Tom Pidcock surprised by instant winning form ahead of Montreal Worlds
CyclingSunday, 06 September 2026 at 18:13
Tom Pidcock admitted even he was surprised by his immediate return to winning form on the road after taking victory at the GP Industria & Artigianato just seven days after becoming mountain-bike world champion.
The Pinarello Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team leader attacked inside the final 13 kilometres in Tuscany, bridged across to the riders ahead and then rode clear alone to claim his fifth road victory of the 2026 season. Christian Scaroni finished 16 seconds behind in second, with Anthon Charmig completing the podium.
For Pidcock, however, the most encouraging part came from how naturally his legs had responded to switching bikes again so soon after his elite XCO world-title triumph in Val di Sole.
“I had good legs today,” Pidcock said afterwards. “Normally, after mountain biking, I take some time to find my road legs again. It’s a very different sort of effort. I’m very happy with how I felt today and a little bit surprised.”
Pidcock praises Pinarello Q36.5 after Tuscany win
Pidcock had plenty of help before making the decisive move himself. Pinarello Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team spent much of the day working at the front, while Quinten Hermans remained involved when attacks began ahead of the final Mungherino climb.
“The team rode all day on the front, and they just all died before they came on TV,” Pidcock joked. “They did a great job.”
Hermans was then part of a strong group that moved clear before Pidcock launched from the peloton, reached the move and attacked again. “Quinten made sure we didn’t get on the back foot when people started attacking,” Pidcock said. “He made sure he was in front and he was super strong there. We can be very happy with how we rode.”
Pidcock eventually went clear alone on Mungherino and held his advantage through the closing kilometres, with Scaroni attacking from the chase inside the final 500 metres to secure second place.
Tom Pidcock speaking to the media after GP Industria & Artigianato 2026
Canada next as Road Worlds approach
Pidcock has now won his last two races in two different disciplines. His victory in Val di Sole delivered a second elite XCO world title, while the GP Industria & Artigianato added to a 2026 road season that already includes Milano-Torino, the Andorra MoraBanc Classica and stage victories at the Vuelta a Andalucia and Tour of the Alps.
He has also finished second at Milano-Sanremo and ninth overall at the Tour de France this season.
Pidcock now travels to Canada on Tuesday, with the GP Quebec and GP Montreal next on his programme before the Road World Championships later in September. “There are some good races there,” he said. “They will obviously be a higher level, but it’s good to be here and to win. It’s a good feeling.”
The Canadian races will bring Pidcock back into WorldTour competition and provide his final racing block before his attempt at the road rainbow jersey in Montreal.
Kieran WoodDeputy Editor-in-Chief
Kieran Wood is a sports journalist based in Wales and has been active in journalism since 2022. He regularly contributes to DartsNews.com and CyclingUpToDate.com, where he covers professional cycling and darts. In cycling, his work includes liveblogs from major races, including the Tour de France, the Giro d’Italia, and La Vuelta a España, alongside race reports and analysis. He has also conducted interviews with professional riders.
His reporting spans the full racing calendar, from one-day classics to stage races, with a focus on accurate, real-time coverage and clear contextual analysis. For statistics, results, and historical context, he regularly uses resources such as ProCyclingStats. To support reporting on rider activity and training context where relevant, he also references Strava.
In his work, Kieran places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles as new, verified information becomes available.
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