Tom Pidcock: "This win is certainly one of my best moments in cycling"

Tom Pidcock has became Olympic champion in Mountain Biking and World Champion in Cyclocross over the last 12 months, and today on the road he became a Tour de France stage winner on one of the most iconic symbols of the race - Alpe d'Huez.

“I guess that stage win at L’Alpe d’Huez for my first Tour de France, it’s not bad!" Pidcock said after his first stage win in a Grand Tour - and first of the season. "The idea was to get in the breakaway. I lost enough time yesterday to begin having some freedom".

The Briton's early breakaway attempt, alongside several other riders was shut down by Jumbo-Visma. However, in the descent of the Col du Galibier Pidcock rode away from the peloton, and put on a spectacle in every descent of the day. "After the Galibier, I got away in the descent, knowing that no one would take the risk to follow me. Chris Froome did. It was pretty nice to getting across with him. We worked well together. He’s a legend!" he said.

"Maybe he’s not as fast as he was but he’s still Chris Froome. It worked out perfectly to break away with him". Pidcock bridged over to the day's breakaway and was in the right place at the right time. The INEOS Grenadiers rider attacked near the base of the Alpe d'Huez, and although he seemed to initially struggle to get a gap, he extended it throughout the crowd-filled mountain. The 22-year old rode to a very strong win, atop one of the race's most important places.

"This win is certainly one of my best moments in cycling, with people’s flags… You can’t experience that anywhere else than at L’Alpe d’Huez," Pidcock concluded.