“Sorry it didn't go the way we wanted” - Tom Pidcock left to wonder what might have been after crash on Giro gravel stage

Tom Pidcock was tipped to be the star of Stage 9 at the 2025 Giro d’Italia. With the race heading onto the white roads of Tuscany, featuring several gravel sectors and a finale in Siena reminiscent of Strade Bianche, the stage looked tailor made for the Q36.5 Pro Cycling rider and former Strade Bianche champion.

But instead of battling for victory, Pidcock was caught up in the chaos. A crash, alongside fellow GC contender Primoz Roglic, and two punctures left him unable to contest the win, despite clearly showing strong form.

Reflecting on the day, Pidcock posted on Instagram: "Crashed, punctured twice.”

Still, the Briton remained upbeat, "I still like these stages in Grand Tours, even when it doesn't go the way I want. Hats off to how my team rode today, sorry it didn't go the way we wanted.”

Q36.5 Pro Cycling had worked hard to position Pidcock well in the early phases of the stage, putting significant energy into the race. But as with many gravel stages, unpredictability reigned, and there was little the team could do to avoid the misfortunes that unfolded.

In the end, it was Wout van Aert who took a dramatic and emotional win. Yet the question remains: had Pidcock stayed upright and clear of mechanical issues, could he have gone head to head with the Belgian for the win?