Tom Pidcock is one of, if not the most versatile rider in cycling at the moment. A blessing for the Briton who has thrived over three disciplines at the very best over the last few years, but also a responsibility as he is forced to make choices on which to focus on.
“Tom is much more of a climber type, who is also explosive. Wout and Mathieu are especially strong bears," former team DS Servais Knaven told RIDE Magazine regarding the Tour de France. "He has the potential to make it to the podium. Winning is only for a few. I see him winning a monument for now. Except for Paris-Roubaix, they all match his qualities. That is already possible this year. That Grand Tour is also possible one day. But if he wants to, he has to let things go and make choices.”
Pidcock is an expert off-road rider, already a crowned Olympic MTB champion and Cyclocross World Champion despite being only 23. On the road he's won races such as Strade Bianche and Amstel Gold Race which bring forward his puncheur abilities, but has also won a mountain stage at the Alpe d'Huez during last year's Tour de France.
Over the past year, and something which is likely to continue in the future, are the debates on which paths he will follow. The two off-road disciplines have seen him thrive immensely, but even within the road there are many choices. Whilst Pidcock is an explosive rider suited to the hilly classics of Belgium mostly, his lightweight stature and occasional high-level wins have also proven his talent in the high mountains.
Dutch MTB coach Gerben de Knegt has also shared his opinion on the reigning Olympic Champion: “I always like to see Pidcock. His favor factor is higher, as a guy between the two guys who are Wout and Mathieu. But you do see a certain fire in Tom. He'd rather die than lose. Pidcock has the bravado and flies in, just like Wout and Mathieu.”
"That is why I also think that a focus on the grand tours goes against Tom's nature. That's just boring. Everyone remembers his descent in the Tour, to Alpe d'Huez. That's who Pidcock is. And he really already has a serious track record, doesn't he. Not everyone appreciates that, mountain biking is really big worldwide. But continuing to do everything and winning the Tour is almost impossible for God," he concluded.
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