"The whole Tom Pidcock topic might be one for a book in 10 years' time" - INEOS Grenadiers CEO speaks out on star rider's departure
Cycling
Tom Pidcock looked poised to lead INEOS Grenadiers into the next seasons, but after a falling out following the Brit's controversial Il Lombardia deselection at the end of the 2024 season, Pidcock heads to 2025 with the Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team.
Despite the headline making manner of Pidcock's exit though, INEOS Grenadiers CEO John Allert insists that he and the team wish the double Olympic gold medallist nothing but the best for the remainder of his career. "I think the whole Tom [Pidcock] topic, you know, might be one for a book in 10 years' time. But in terms of newsworthiness, I think we're certainly moving on," explains Allert in quotes collected by Cycling News from a recent media call.
As mentioned though, Allert is keen to stress that INEOS and Pidcock are separating on good terms. "We parted ways amicably with Tom. We've got a lot of respect for Tom. Tom's an amazing talent, I've said that 100 times as well," reiterates the team's CEO. "I personally left on very good terms with Tom from when we last spoke and we wish him well. That's kind of really that story in a nutshell."
But if the INEOS Grenadiers love Pidcock and Pidcock himself insists that he holds no ill-will to his former employers, just why have the two parties indeed parted ways? "I think it's as simple as the word compatibility," explains Allert firmly in conclusion. "There's no guarantees in life, in business, sport or in your personal life, that people are going to be compatible forever. I think both Tom and the team probably realized that and that's why he left the team. That's it really, and he's now found a team, a great team that will give him the opportunities that he wants, that are important to him, and good luck to him."
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