Tom Pidcock has left INEOS Grenadiers and signed a three-year deal. For those close to the Briton or who are aware, it does not come as a surprise that this means more departures from the British team, including Kurt Bogaerts who coaches him now for several years.
This was first spotted by journalist Daniel Benson who has been on the ground in Spain. The INEOS Grenadiers staff list included Bogaerts, but both he and soigneur Xenia de Roose now had an error when opening their page. CyclingWeekly has this Wednesday confirmed the Belgian coach's departure from the British team.
The move does not come as a surprise. Over the years Pidcock has been very close with Bogaerts, and with Pidcock following a multi-disciplinary calendar that includes frequent stints in Mountain Biking and Cyclocross, it takes a coach with a lot of experience over several training and preparation methods. Most likely, it is a personal connection with Pidcock that sees him leave the team, which would also indicate that Bogaerts will soon be announced in the Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team.
The Briton is said to have in the past raced and focused on his own ambitions and having a close circle with him, whom was always crucial to his potential transfer this winter. Not only is his close group important for him as a pro rider, but a special exception has also been made for him with the Swiss team, where he will be racing Pinarello bikes in MTB and Cyclocross, whilst racing on the team-sponsored Scott bikes on the road.
However he will not be making his debut with his new team soon, he has confirmed to not be racing cyclocross this winter following a few not-so-successful winters, but the main argument being his adaptation to his new team amidst a very late transfer. At the time being there is no public decision on his calendar for the upcoming spring, but a lot should be known in January when the team hosts it's media day.