Pidcock sets his sights on Pogacar and Vingegaard: the monstrous training ride he logged in Chile
Cycling
Seven hours in the saddle, more than four thousand metres of elevation gain, and a round number that always commands respect: 200 kilometres. That’s how Tom Pidcock sums up his latest and most demanding training session, logged on Strava with barely a comment but loaded with meaning as he builds for the new season… with an eye on toppling Tadej Pogacar and Jonas Vingegaard?
The Briton is training in Chile with his team, Pinarello Q36.5 Pro Cycling, and over the past two weeks he has posted some striking days. None, however, matched the scale of yesterday’s ride, a bona fide queen stage disguised under the understated title "Morning Ride".
The ride started in the mountains, from the team’s training base, and headed west towards the flatter terrain north of Santiago de Chile. From there, the group turned back, a loop that became a relentless grind, with more than the final 80 kilometres climbing almost continuously to the hotel at 2,750 metres above sea level.
Pidcock did not ride alone. Alongside him were Fred Wright, one of his new teammates, as well as Fabio Christen, Xandro Meurisse and Quinten Hermans. Together they wrapped a day with 4,003 metres of climbing, seven hours of pedalling, and an average speed of 28.5 km/h, numbers worthy of a mountain stage in competition.
Read also
Beyond the data, the Briton chose not to add comments on the platform. Even so, the activity offered clear clues to the session’s intensity: several top-10s on various segments and, notably, multiple personal records. Five came on the final two climbs back to the hotel, suggesting the last effort was anything but easy.
This demanding training block is part of a 25-day camp in Chile, an unusual destination in the pro peloton, but one the team has publicly defended for its specific advantages.
Although it’s an altitude camp, it also serves as a powerful heat-acclimation tool, with temperatures reaching 36 degrees in the valley where they do the intervals.
Tom Pidcock is preparing for a pivotal 2026 season
The value of overcoming obstacles
"When you’re sheltered from the wind on the bike, it feels like an oven. Sweating is the norm," explained Xandro Meurisse to Het Laatste Nieuws previously. On top of the heat comes a UV index of 14, which forces riders to reapply SPF 50 sunscreen several times a day to avoid burns.
Despite the discomforts, the team believes the benefits outweigh the drawbacks. Compared to traditional locations like Teide, where temperatures are around ten degrees lower, or Sierra Nevada, still affected by snow, Chile offers a different stimulus that is highly prized in modern preparation.
"These days, every professional cyclist does heat training as an additional stimulus to expose the body to extreme conditions," noted Quinten Hermans to the same outlet. "Many do it indoors, wearing extra layers on the turbo or in the sauna. Here, we simply do it outdoors, on the bike, in shorts and short sleeves."
With this work banked, Pidcock will open his season with several smaller Spanish races in mid-February, including the demanding Ruta del Sol, five days with a mountainous profile. Judging by what we’ve seen in Chile, the foundation looks more than solid.
Ondrej ZhasilCycling Journalist
Ondřej Zhasil is a cycling journalist at CyclingUpToDate and has been part of the team since 2023. He is based in Ostrava, the third-largest city in the Czech Republic, and covers professional cycling across the main UCI competitions, including the Tour de France, the Giro d’Italia, and La Vuelta a España. A key focus of his work is startlist analysis and pre-race coverage, where he examines team selections, rider line-ups, and tactical scenarios ahead of major events.
Alongside WorldTour coverage, Ondřej has developed specific expertise in junior cycling and in racing across East Asia, including competitions in China and Japan. He also maintains a broad working knowledge of other disciplines and levels, including cyclocross, while continuing to expand his understanding of mountain bike racing.
Ondřej holds a bachelor’s degree in Mathematics and Physics, which supports his analytical, data-driven approach to performance and race analysis. In his reporting, he regularly uses ProCyclingStats for results, statistics, and historical context. He places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available.
claps 6visitors 6
Just in
Popular news
Latest comments
- This is a really interesting idea, which, if well prepared could even be very successful. Very little money needs to be involved for a first season and any success could lead to rapid interest from sponsors.Jumpyjohn07-11-2026
- Hmmm, you seem to have a very convenient black and white view of things. Perhaps you haven’t been around much to discover how complex problems can become over time with people who know how to control, manipulate (or worse) others so gradually or subtly that you arrive at an irresolvable situation before you realise. This is how many inconveniences get introduced to the young, naïve, passionate or “desperate”, knowing they are not armed, protected or strong enough to defend themselves once it’s too late. Why do you think omerta culture is so widespread, why do you think so many people continue to go through so many awful things in life that others can’t understand anyone getting into? Life may be far more jolly for you but you would do well to understand (or reflect more on) the real world to refrain from being so quick to criticise those in a hard spot that may have genuine reason for speaking out.Jumpyjohn07-11-2026
- Seriously do you think when somebody gets into a serious accident, the ambulance is called by the hurt person?🤦 there is always a buddy system in place for a risky job. police , firefighters etc so that if someone gets hurt, the other call that in.abstractengineer07-11-2026
- I get the point totally. We live in the snowflake society where some riders forget they are getting paid to ride and get results. When they have a few issues they try to look outside of the real issue instead of themselves. It odd so many of the team are making no complaints and getting on with their job. If you do not like what you do find another job simples. Tough love as my mum would say.paultryan200207-11-2026
- many people advise him to grow slowly and rather do giro and/or vuelta instead of tdf. but i can totally understand that he is not satisfied with taking over once pogi declines, but instead beat him in his prime. so if he goes for tdf again, i‘m all for it. let‘s hope that pogi recovers soon!Ketterechts07-11-2026
- So gracious to offer something no-one would be prepared to pay for. The Giro is not the Tour and doesn’t command the same interest or attract the same “elite” (those willing to pay to be a part of something they consider has ego boosting potential). Roadside viewing will always largely remain free for everyone outside circuits. Introduction of a symbolic entrance to mountain climbs is worthy of exploration. Asking 1-2€ isn’t going to repulse real fans (most will spend 50-100€ on their outing that day all things included) but will prevent a portion of the total knobhead thrillseekers who will join in any large gathering as long as it’s free, just because they’re attracted to crowds, without which it it difficult for them to work up their anti-social behaviour.Jumpyjohn07-11-2026
- How is radio going to help when someone went over a cliff or bridge or off the roadside into a forest unnoticed and is laying there unconscious?Jumpyjohn07-11-2026
- Yep, next we’ll be accusing F1 drivers of avoiding Le Mans.Jumpyjohn07-11-2026
- But on what is that opinion based? Are you holding him to a different standard than others? Are you saying he should do learn to like something he doesn’t Are you saying he hasn’t achieved enough Are you saying he pretends to be better than his results? It’s actually a really strange opinion to oust if you consider it objectively or rationally. Try applying it to others or yourself by asking if not EVERYONE should then be doing more? Nobody in athletics or swimming gets criticism for not expanding their repertoire when a rival or someone else does. In fact, most who move to another event get accused of running from their rival. Opinions are boring, the reasons behind them are what count.Jumpyjohn07-11-2026
- for a medical chief to throw things like is just bad. There are already radios which were banned for spectacle. allow radios. Gps trackers are not a complete solutionabstractengineer07-11-2026
Loading
Write a comment