Tom Pidcock: "The key is to be in good shape in all the Classics and hopefully that will be good enough for me to win one"

Tom Pidcock dreams big for the 2023 spring classics. It's a special time of year for the classics specialists, and after making big sacrifices this winter the Olympic Champion is ready to dive in and take his first win in a cobbled classic.

“I wanted to develop a higher basic level. After things went wrong at the MTB World Championships, I wasn't immediately looking forward to cyclocross to be honest," Pidcock admitted in an extensive interview with Wielerflits. "But I know it's important in preparation for my road season. We decided early on to skip the Cyclo-cross World Cup, whether that is right or wrong. I just enjoyed the cross last winter. I'm already looking forward to that, so that's good. I have now also been able to build on my road form longer. You saw that in Algarve: I was a completely different rider there than a year ago.”

The Briton opted to not try to defend his cyclocross world title, justifying it with a course that did not favour him, and in order to properly prepare for the road season. His move had quick success as he entered the season in strong form, winning the summit finish at Alto do Malhão during the Volta ao Algarve where he climbed alongside the best.

“I climbed well there. It was nice to win so quickly after sacrificing cyclo-cross for my road season. I watched the World Championships in Hoogerheide with envy. Then it's nice that that choice immediately pays for itself a bit." Strade Bianche, Milano-Sanremo, Tour des Flandres and the Ardennes classics are all in his schedule. It will be a busy set of months for the 23-year old and it all starts at Omloop Het Nieuwsblad today.

"In Thursday's recon, I actually felt pretty good. The Bosberg is my least favorite climb, but I rode up there faster than ever before. That's not a bad thing," he commented. The combination of the Muur de Geraardsbergen and Bosberg is every year crucial for the outcome of the race, and with his current form it is quite possible that Pidcock will be looking to attack the race there.

“We'll see. I think there will be a lot of strength and depth in the peloton tomorrow. There is more than just the Bosberg. Just because it's my least favorite climb doesn't mean I can't ride it fast. I did that on Thursday. Still, I maintain that Omloop is not the most perfect race for me. But as I understand, we're getting some wind. A number of teams may then start racing a little earlier than usual. It will be tough anyway," he continues.

With the weather forecast favouring the fast men, INEOS will likely opt for aggressive tactics, with Ben Turner and Magnus Sheffield as further options for this kind of racing - the team's new generation.

“That also played a part in the success we achieved last year. We had a very strong team and when competitors look at me, other teammates get chances," he says of his teammates' chances. "Last year I wasn't 100% either, but because I was targeted I did create a bit of success. I have to live with it, even if I still have one on the road."

Pidcock names Arnaud de Lie as the main favourite for the day: “I understand that. It's his race to lose. Arnaud has started the season very well. I haven't raced against him yet, but from what I've seen it was strong. If he rides to the finish in the first group, he has everything to lose."

"I personally hope to do better than last year in the spring. Not hard, because I wasn't at my best then. The key is to be in good shape in all the Classics and hopefully that will be good enough for me to win one," he believes. He should also have more freedom with the departure of Dylan van Baarle, however as he Dutchman signed with Jumbo-Visma he will now be part of the direct competition.

“Dylan was of course a great addition to this team. But at the same time we now have a young team that we can build from the ground up, to form a very strong block during the classics in the coming year. It was a shame that Dylan left, but we are still strong. Maybe even stronger. Last year was our best classic spring ever. With that confidence in our pocket, we are now going for it again," he concluded.