Steep Tagliacozzo summit finish "could definitely be an opportunity for Tom" - Pidcock's coach Kurt Bogaerts

Tom Pidcock has thus far shown good form at the Giro d'Italia, but in six days of racing, wasn't able to put it to much use. The Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team could potentially reach the pink jersey on the gravel stage to Siena, but beforehand he is very eager to test him Tagliacozzo where the pink jersey contenders will have their first battle.

"I think it's been a decent start for Q36.5 and Tom, of course, you hope to have won already one time, but we all see how strong Pedersen and Lidl-Trek are, so they can really control the group," Bogaerts shared with Cyclingnews. 

On stage 1 he was 5th, stage 3 the race was very conservative, and on stage 5 he was third as the lack of attacks in the finale allowed Mads Pedersen to sprint for another win. "We've not got to the biggest stage chances yet for Tom, though. Stage 5 was an opportunity, and he came close, as he did on the first day in Albania, and he did a pretty good time trial."

However Bogaerts, Pidcock's coach and vocal voice in the media, has assured that the Briton is in good form and will be giving it his all this Friday in pursuit of a good result. Thinking of chasing the overall classification is premature, but obviously with the stage to Siena coming this Sunday, Pidcock will require a good performance today in order to be able to dream of leading the Corsa Rosa.

"I think stage 7 could definitely be an opportunity for Tom. We worked this year mainly to be ready for the Classics, and that stage is obviously quite different, with a much longer type of climb, but I think he's shown potential this year in these types of days," he adds. "It's also a great opportunity to progress in mountain work. Hopefully, we can do something".