Tom Pidcock ready to challenge Tadej Pogacar at Strade Bianche: "It's interesting to start a race as the last winner, but I don't feel any extra pressure"

Tom Pidcock soared to victory at Strade Bianche last year and this time around he will be in Siena with the number 1 on his back. A very high quality field of riders will aim to take that away from him, but the leader of INEOS Grenadiers does not feel the pressure from being the defending champion.

“I really had a good run-up to this race. I did a long training block and some races to start the year. It was a steady build-up," Pidcock said in a press release. “The course change will certainly significantly change the dynamics of the race. The race didn't scream for extra kilometers, so that will make it a little harder. That's for sure. Forty kilometers from Le Tolfe feels very far!”

The route will be even more difficult this year, but it is unclear whether that will favour or not the Briton. So far this season he has also not had performances in very long races; he rode to sixth at the Volta ao Algarve and then eighth at Omloop Het Nieuwsblad. Notably, in Belgium, he was not able to follow the best uphill in efforts that could suit him. The technical aspect of the race however is an absolute advantage for the MTB and cyclocross specialist.

“It's interesting to start a race as the last winner, but I don't feel any extra pressure. It is what it is. Of course I will be watched more, but it doesn't change how I will race," he admits. With Tadej Pogacar and Tim Wellens at the start line, there will be little doubt that UAE Team Emirates will be the team carrying the responsibility.