15/02/2023

Tom Pidcock to "participate everywhere for a win" this spring, coach Kurt Bogaerts affirms

Tom Pidcock started his season with a fifth place at the Volta ao Algarve's opening sprint stage, but was however relegated later on. The INEOS Grenadiers aims very high this spring, and the Portuguese race serves as a warm-up for a spring where he seeks big wins.

“From the Omloop to Liège-Bastogne-Liège, he wants to play with his condition and participate everywhere for a win," coach Kurt Bogaerts told Het Laatste Nieuws. “Compared to previous years, he was in the direct duels with Van Aert and a top-level Van der Poel, but he was well in between."

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Pidcock did not attempt to defend his cyclocross World title recently, as he looked to prepare the spring classics. It was a big focus for the Briton, who because of cyclocross hadn't been able to have an ideal preparation for the months of March and April. This year that changes, with the Briton testing himself.

“And that in a training phase. He has drawn satisfaction and confidence from that. But he is already better than last year. Last week he had to deal with some stomach problems, although without a day of training. We'll see. There is currently no pressure to perform. The intention is that he will grow progressively in the season from now on," Bogaerts said on his season's start in the Algarve.

Arnaud De Lie adds Omloop Het Nieuwsblad to his spring calendar

Strade Bianche, Milano-Sanremo, Tour des Flandres and Liège-Bastogne-Liège will be among his goals for the spring, a big form peak that he must have to perform all-round, even if he will have more opportunities to take wins inbetween all these races. His spring campaign starts at Omloop Het Nieuwsblad where he will be an outsider, and from there on Pidcock follows the traditional run-up to the Tour des Flandres contenders.

“If you want to be good in the Strade Bianche one week later, a decent level in Omloop Het Nieuwsblad is already necessary," he continues. "This is followed by alternating cobbled and climbing classics. With numerous possibilities until the end of April. A period in which he can play with his condition and must be able to compete everywhere to win."

" It's a big relief for me to win early": Alexander Kristoff feels less pressure after his victory in the opening stage in Volta ao Algarve

Bogaerts ended the interview by saying that "he will continue to walk two paths for the time being" as an answer to Tirreno-Adriatico, where the Briton may test his overall classification qualities as he finishes his preparation for the spring classics.