‘Spy’ in peloton reveals inside story on Tom Pidcock drama: “Pidcock is a bit of a loner within INEOS”

Sporza has reportedly uncovered growing tensions surrounding Tom Pidcock's future at INEOS Grenadiers through a 'spy' embedded in the peloton. The British rider, who is said to be on his way out of the team, has become the subject of much speculation, with insiders questioning his place within the squad.

According to the spy, Sporza reports that "the saga surrounding Tom Pidcock is also raising eyebrows in the peloton." This drama appears to have unfolded over the past few months, with Pidcock's role in major races becoming increasingly uncertain.

"In the Tour of Piemonte, Pidcock had to be a last-minute substitute, and for the Tour of Lombardy he was removed from the starting list at the last minute. It's all bizarre," the spy added. This inconsistency in his race schedule has only fuelled rumours about his deteriorating relationship with the team.

The spy revealed that Pidcock has taken a somewhat isolated stance within INEOS: "Pidcock is a bit of a loner within Ineos, with his own doctor and his own staff. He wants to do his own thing a bit." This independence has reportedly caused friction with the team’s management, as Pidcock appears to operate outside the standard team framework.

A notable example of this tension arose when "the team didn't want Pidcock to go mountain biking in Canada at the end of last season. But he crossed the pond anyway." Defying the team’s wishes seems to have deepened the divide, with the spy saying, "since then, the water between the two parties has become deeper and deeper."

As Pidcock's future hangs in the balance, the question of his contract buyout has also become a hot topic. "But which team can put 12 million euros on the table? Because that is Pidcock's buyout fee. Unless there is a back door in the contract," the spy noted.

Despite the challenges, there is reported interest from other teams. "Q36.5 and Visma-Lease a Bike in particular would be interested in prying him away from INEOS. Pidcock at Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe seems less likely," according to the spy.

With tensions running high and speculation growing, Pidcock’s future remains uncertain. Whether he stays with INEOS or makes a high-profile switch to another team, this ongoing drama is sure to keep the cycling world watching closely.