Tom Pidcock could be the spark of change to launch Q36.5 Pro Cycling into the top echelons of cycling world: "Tom has really raised the demands on the other riders"

Tom Pidcock's move from INEOS Grenadiers to Q36.5 Pro Cycling was perhaps the most debated of the past winter, but for the Swiss PRT team, the investment in the 25-year-old Brit quickly paid first dividends with a dominant victory in the second stage of AlUla Tour.

"We have only one goal here, winning with Tom," Belgian teammate Fréderik Frison confirmed to Belgian newspaper Dernière Heure after Pidcock's uphill win at Bir Jaydah Mountain Wirkah. "It's great to see the team progress and to win here today. That's even greater motivation for me."

There'll be another opportunity today to celebrate for Pidcock who could also seal the AlUla Tour GC atop the famous Harrat Uwayrid wall.

Read also

PREVIEW | AlUla Tour 2025 stage 4 - Can Tom Pidcock do it again on explosive finale?

But as sports director Jens Zemke told Dernière Heure, Pidcock's arrival for the 2025 season has not just seen the team take an early win in his first road race at the AIUIa Tour, it has also sparked other positive changes. "For the other riders, it's a new situation, because last year, we weren't in a position of being favourites very often. So that's a change, but it's also a boost to morale."

Zemke said Pidcock was playing a leading role in briefings but at training camp this winter, he had also discouraged the previous team practice of coffee stops after long training rides, "because he'd say – 'no, no coffee, we're staying in race mode'."

"He's always 'mentalised', even in his training and he hides his serious side with a smile. That's a good thing. Tom's really raised the demands on the riders, and the others understand that it's an enormous opportunity for them to be in a competitive team and progress at his side."

Frison added that Pidcock's arrival had enabled Q36.5 to exploit its considerable resources better. "Q36.5 has ProTeam status, but in terms of equipment and operation, we are at World Tour level. Tom is the leader we needed to take that step," he told Het Nieuwsblad.

Read also

"I’d rather be out of the spotlight" - Sepp Kuss officially ends 'GCKuss' dream

Wout Van Aert tries to follow Pogacar's example and secretely tests out new bike setup in attempt to imitate the Slovenian phenomenon

Subscribe to our Newsletter

Unlock your ultimate cycling experience—subscribe today for access to the latest cycling news

Subscribe