OFFICIAL: Tom Pidcock signs with Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team for 3 years - "It’s the start of something special"

It is official! Perhaps the most important and controversial signing of the entire cycling season. Tom Pidcock was officially confirmed to leave INEOS Grenadiers this Wednesday; now Friday morning he has been confirmed to sign a three-year contract with the Swiss ProTeam Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team.

Pidcock has had tensions within INEOS Grenadiers, mainly with DS Steve Cummings who was also let go from the team. Pidcock, on a millionaire contract, won the Olympic Games MTB race this summer but on the road greatly struggled and only managed to win at Amstel Gold Race.

However the final dig was at the end of the season, as he showed good form by finishing second at the Giro dell'Emilia, but was removed from the lineup for Il Lombardia with no reason being given other than it being a management decision. It had been rumoured the previous days that he was in contact with the Swiss team. The rumours faded, but surged again in late November, and with the departure confirmed two days ago, it was evident that a move was about to be agreed on.

“This isn’t just a change of jersey; it’s the start of something special,” Pidcock said in a press release. “The chance to work with a team that’s growing, with incredible partners and brands, is something that motivates me. I can’t wait to see what we’ll achieve together.”  This deal could potentially been widely facilitated by Ivan Glasenberg, team owner who is also the owner of the Pinarello bike brand, the same that INEOS Grenadiers ride on and a personal sponsor of Pidcock, who should continue to pursue his off-road goals, not just in the road.

It's a three-year deal, which will considerably boost the ranks of the Swiss team and get another ProTeam in a situation of being able to contest the biggest races in the world. “I know the challenge that we face getting to where we want to be but it’s an adventure and I’m excited for it".

For Q36.5 specially, this is a massive transfer that changes the team completely. “We are honoured to welcome Tom Pidcock to the Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team,” team manager Doug Ryder added. “Tom is a true embodiment of passion and competitive spirit, qualities that resonate deeply with our team’s values. His extraordinary talent, both on and off the bike, and his proven ability to win at the WorldTour level make him a game-changing addition to our roster. We look forward to writing this next chapter together.”

Luigi Bergamo also shared his thoughts on the team's new star:  “With his revolutionary, multi-disciplinary approach that has versatility at its heart, Tom is the perfect embodiment of our own approach to product development. Having Tom as part of the team offers us the opportunity not just to compete for victory at the world’s most prestigious races but also to continue to push the very boundaries of Q36.5’s vision of what the future of performance cycling clothing can be. I can’t wait to send him his first pair of Dottore bib shorts and hear what he thinks!”