Tom Pidcock confirms La Vuelta as a goal and is thrilled with 'home' stage: "I go in with a lot more experience and higher expectations"
Cycling
One step back, two steps forward... Tom Pidcock will be racing two Grand Tours in 2025 and is very motivated for them. This Friday morning it has been revealed that Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team will be racing the Vuelta a España later this year and it will include a visit to the Briton's home.
“It’s very exciting that we’ve received an invitation to ride La Vuelta! I haven’t checked all the stages yet, but I do know there is one stage finish in Andorra," Pidcock said in a press release. "That’s where I live, so it’s definitely something to look forward to. This year’s edition also features the iconic climbs of Angliru and Bola del Mundo".
The Briton will race the Giro d'Italia, but it won't be the only opportunity to test his Grand Tour abilities this year. "I did my first Grand Tour four years ago in Spain and have great memories of it. Back then, everything was new, but this year, I go in with a lot more experience and higher expectations—especially with the Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team by my side.”
Out of the picture is Equipo Kern Pharma who won three stages last year, however that was mostly due to the 'rotation' format that the Vuelta organizers usually have, in order to provide all it's Pro Teams with opportunities to race the country's biggest event. However, Q36.5's presence over the Spanish outfit was still a surprise, not just to fans but team manager Doug Ryder himself.
“I’m absolutely thrilled about this invitation. La Vuelta has been a key goal for us this year. With a strong group of Spanish riders and staff, the energy within our team is electric," he says. "Although this will be our first time competing in La Vuelta as a team, 15 of our 25 riders have experience in the race, with some securing stage podiums, victories, and even wearing the iconic red leader’s jersey".
"It is a tough undulating and mountainous race which suits us. There is also an individual and a team time trial to tackle. I have no doubt that we will make an impact from the opening stage in Piemonte, Italy, all the way to the grand finale in Madrid," he concluded.
We are excited for our first Vuelta a España 🇪🇸🇪🇸🇪🇸.
— Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team (@Q36_5ProCycling) April 4, 2025
Read the reactions of general manager Doug Ryder and that of Tom Pidcock who is excited about the stage near his home in Andorra 🇦🇩 >> https://t.co/3m4DyITVl3#racingthefuture https://t.co/LMv6sXHn01
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- His basic attitude always has been (and we know age often reinforces inherent values), if I’m going down I’m going to try taking you with me.Mistermaumau08-04-2025
- I know it’s tradition and nice but to make the discussion more interesting, if an Arkea rider had driven up to tell Alpecin or UAE to ease off for Mozzato or Vauquelin having a P, would they have been as gentlemanly?Mistermaumau08-04-2025
- That’s probably about right although if they’d talked it over it would have been in all their interests to work together to chase Pog down because those 4 arriving at the finish in that scenario would have left all 4 with a chance of victory.Mistermaumau08-04-2025
- Exactly, that easily makes for a minute at the front. You don’t see Pog cracking often either (less often than MVDP even) but when he does it’s lights out and over too. This is completely normal and to be expected, at the level of competitiveness all these guys are they only crack once they’ve pushed beyond their manageable limit and there’s no coming back from that. When your rival forces you into the red to keep or catch up, it’s over, in that respect, well done to WVA who seems to be world champion in staying just outside the red for as long as he can.Mistermaumau08-04-2025
- If I remember well, Pidcock slowed, whether out of respect or strategically or just happy he could ease off a bit, only he knows. Your point?Mistermaumau08-04-2025
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- Just shows that LA is not truly repentant. JUSTICE was served. No winner, no second , no third on the podium for those 7 years. No real winners could be determined, ever. Lance got to keep most of his money , he really should can it . He is toxic to cycling.dave08-04-2025
- Tricky one as while I agree Pogi and UAE are simply faster over a long distance which means Visma and MVP need to be as smart with energy use as can, it's also been proven in the past that one way for Pogi to be beaten is relentless attacks, to put him into the red. However that does require a rider to as good as sacrifice themselves for that one move which makes riskHoopoeChai07-04-2025
- Even if not technically against the rules, this is just bad etiquette and frankly I hope the rest of pelaton remembers Arkea don't care about etiquette or honoring tradition which means they shouldn't benifit from it.HoopoeChai07-04-2025
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