Tour de France racing "like nothing else" Tom Pidcock says

Tom Pidcock has made his Tour de France debut this summer where he has succeeded, taking a stage win at the Alpe d'Huez and riding into 15th place. He now talks about his experience and thoughts on his future at the French race.

"Racing at the Tour is just full gas all the time. When you’re going up the long climbs and you’re at threshold, and then you’re attacking each other it’s just so explosive. It’s really like nothing else," Pidcock shared in an interview with CyclingWeekly. Now preparing for his debut in the rainbow jersey in Cyclocross, the Briton has shared his thoughts on the Grand Boucle.

Although being an expert in both cyclocross and MTB and sharing those ambitions on the road - where he prioritizes the hilly classics, his specialty - many talk of him as a future contender for the Grand Tours. He has shrugged off any idea of doing so in the near future, a decision well justified by his priorities that currently fit together.

"I think in some ways, if you wanted to win the Tour then you would need to sacrifice the classics that season," he continues. "You couldn’t do them all." Hence, although he doesn't deny he may try in the future, the 23-year old is currently not considering a big change in plans.

"I remember the crowds more than anything on Alpe d'Huez. At times it just seemed like there was no road in front of me, then suddenly people would move and you would be able to ride through," he said, describing the Alpine ascent.

“I don’t think you could experience that anywhere else or in any other sport. I think it looks hard and there’s no easing into it. Straightaway there will be possibilities for the GC to make time," he concluded.