Tom Pidcock "really enjoying the challenge" as he reaches first Tour de France rest day 7th in the GC
Cycling
It's a different kind of challenge for Tom Pidcock at the 2023 Tour de France. Whilst last year he impressed as a stage hunter, taking the win atop Alpe d'Huez, this time around he's fiercely maintaining a general classification challenge and heading into the first rest day, Pidcock is well in the mix for the podium.
“I’m enjoying it. I’m getting a bit better. With each test I’m improving and staying near the front, it’s actually motivating me," said the 23-year-old INEOS Grenadiers rider in a rest day press conference. “Before if you’d said racing for top 10 I wouldn’t really be so bothered but actually now I’m really enjoying the challenge and each little win."
With Pidcock currently in 7th in the general classification and alongside teammate Carlos Rodriguez who currently sits in 4th, the INEOS Grenadiers enter the first rest day of the race in a strong position, maintaining their two-pronged bid for the podium.
“I wouldn’t normally have the patience and focus required for three weeks riding the GC, it’s not really in my characteristics but now I’m kind of enjoying it. It’s my first actual time riding with senior pros in a proper stage race like this, it’s all kind of new and I’m enjoying it," says Pidcock. “I’m growing in confidence and just exploring my limits.”
On the stage 9 summit finish atop the infamous Puy de Dome, Pidcock was fourth amongst the GC riders, putting time into the likes of Jai Hindley and Rodriguez. “Yesterday was a great day and if I can replicate that again, that’s fantastic,” Pidcock said. “The next two weeks now, there are some pretty tough days ahead, back-to-back days and three days in the Alps and it’s going to be a big test."
“Week two into week three is where cracks start to show. My goal is to be consistent," the Brit concludes. "Personally, in my head, it’s becoming more of a challenge and a target to see where I can go on GC because I’m enjoying it. If that means I don’t get a stage win maybe that’s the case but I feel I can learn a lot about myself if I fully commit to the GC now.”
Kieran WoodDeputy Editor-in-Chief
Kieran Wood is a sports journalist based in Wales and has been active in journalism since 2022. He regularly contributes to DartsNews.com and CyclingUpToDate.com, where he covers professional cycling and darts. In cycling, his work includes liveblogs from major races, including the Tour de France, the Giro d’Italia, and La Vuelta a España, alongside race reports and analysis. He has also conducted interviews with professional riders.
His reporting spans the full racing calendar, from one-day classics to stage races, with a focus on accurate, real-time coverage and clear contextual analysis. For statistics, results, and historical context, he regularly uses resources such as ProCyclingStats. To support reporting on rider activity and training context where relevant, he also references Strava.
In his work, Kieran places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles as new, verified information becomes available.
claps 1visitors 1
Just in
Popular news
Latest comments
- Pidcock finished 9th place, 29 minutes down. he is a helluva rider, so gutsy. and he is amazing at all disciplines. but this headline is . . .mij09-11-2026
- I know, watch the video. and listen to her competitors. it was a tricky tacky call at best. WTF is this guy talking about??? my original comment was from the picture it didn't look like anything.mij09-11-2026
- I dunno what you're talking about. you make no sense. MS's competitor and the competitors coach said it was BS. she didn't deviate in a way that relegation should be required. revel LOL. you're so cool, in your own mind.mij09-11-2026
- deviation lol, watch the videomij09-11-2026
- the 'No different than women who follow and discuss celebs through gossip magazines' comment was unfortunately a bit off. didn't you just boast about your principles in the comments section of another article?Ketterechts08-11-2026
- Are you MrMauMau 2.0? Nothing you are saying is really relevant. Vaguely connected, but irrelevant. The conversation is whether Schreiber impeded Brand or not.
Rafionain-Glas08-11-2026 - He is boring
leedorney08-11-2026 - To Twoje przemyślenia te bla, bla :)
Dariusz08-11-2026 - Uwielbiam patrzeć, jak wyjeżdża na czoło peletonu i zaczyna się rzeź...Dariusz08-11-2026
- Yeah, unreal.
parisbound0008-11-2026
Loading
1 Comments