“Probably the most unenjoyable race of the year”: Tom Pidcock's World Championship dreams explode in final 50km of Kigali epic

Tom Pidcock’s bid for World Championship glory in Kigali ended in a frustrating 10th place, 9 minutes and 5 seconds behind dominant winner Tadej Pogacar. The British rider, who had shown promise in the opening hours, described his effort as “probably the most unenjoyable race of the year,” a day defined by attrition, relentless climbs, and punishing cobbles.

“I didn’t feel great at the start,” Pidcock admitted after the race to Cycling Pro Net. “As the race went on, I tried to get into it, but eventually I just completely blew. From that point it was pure survival to the finish. There’s not much more to say — it was absolutely relentless.”

Pivotal moments came on Mont Kigali and the circuits that followed, where the pace proved too intense for Pidcock to maintain with the leading group. While he initially stayed in touch with the select riders chasing Pogacar, the Belgian and Irish contingent, as well as the punishing solo attacks from the Slovenian, gradually pulled away. “At one point, when there were five of us chasing behind Tadej, I thought, ‘Anything’s possible now,’” Pidcock reflected. “But then my legs just gave out.”

The cobbled sectors and repeated climbs exposed the limits of even the most versatile riders, and Pidcock admitted the altitude and sustained efforts caught up with him in the final laps. “I think I played down the effect of the altitude beforehand,” he said. “Once I actually started racing and felt it, it was really tough. I did what I could, but it was a hard day out there.”

Despite the setback, Pidcock remained pragmatic about his performance. He acknowledged the toll of a gruelling season, which included the Vuelta a Espana, and recognised the limits of what he could achieve under these conditions. “I did the best I could, and considering everything, I can’t complain. Some days you just can’t have everything,” he said.

While Pidcock’s ambitions for the rainbow jersey were dashed, he left Kigali with a renewed perspective on endurance, racing strategy, and personal limits. “I tried my best, that’s all you can do,” he said. The World Championships offered a brutal reminder of how quickly fortunes can change in racing, and for Pidcock, the experience provides lessons that will inform his approach in the final races of the season and beyond.

Though the result may have been disappointing for the British star, his grit and perseverance through one of the toughest courses on the calendar reinforce why he remains a rider always worth watching.