"What happened to me was business" - Tom Pidcock on leaving INEOS, becoming a Grand Tour rider and his own self-belief
Cycling
The past 12 months have seen a complete U-turn in Tom Pidcock's career, with a contract termination at INEOS Grenadiers leading him to go towards the small-level Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team in 2026, where he has found his best level and turned the Swiss team into another World Tour-level outfit. The Briton discusses what's next after a brilliant year and also explains further why he left INEOS in the first place.
"We accepted that it might be a bit of a write-off, a kind of transition to build for the future. But in the end, it went really well. I was in the best shape of my life," Pidcock said in words to Cyclingnews. "I only see myself developing further this year and being even better next year. We will also have more time and more knowledge, thanks to new people on the team and in my personal team".
Pidcock's move to Q36.5 was motivated by Pinarello and its owner Ivan Glasenberg who owns the team, but it turned out to be the perfect move. Without the overwhelming pressure and disagreements with the team management, he was free to follow his ambitions and program, and found his winning ways right after moving to the team. And then with podium places at Strade Bianche, Flèche Wallone and a very strong Tirreno-Adriatico, we knew the best Pidcock was back.
But it was at the Vuelta a España that we could really be proved that, as he succeeded in what he never managed to at INEOS: Finish a Grand Tour within the first. He joined Jonas Vingegaard and João Almeida in the final podium, with an active race that would've likely also featured a stage win if it weren't for the protests that neutralized several stages.
It is simply a different Pidcock this year, who has been consistent and showed his true level - without neglecting mountain biking, where he also won in the summer. "Confidence and the belief of everyone around me, that was important. Then there was also the knowledge and professionalism, including in training and nutrition. It's the highest level I've ever reached".
"I really feel involved and part of the wider team, instead of just racing and being a leader. That's something I really enjoy. I think I show leadership on the bike, but also off the bike. I help the team grow and assist in decision-making."
What La Vuelta changed
In August he put in a stellar climbing performance at the Arctic Race of Norway and the Vuelta was simply a game changer for him. "Especially with the Vuelta... performing in a Grand Tour is probably the biggest step I've ever taken in my career, and I enjoyed it too". However not everything is bright. "I don't really enjoy riding for the general classification, but I do enjoy things I'm successful in. That's why I'm a cyclist, after all. It definitely changes things in my own mind regarding Grand Tours."
But with the security that he can perform for three weeks, Pidcock now has a different motivation to add more top results to his palmarès. "It used to be a kind of goal in other people's minds that I never fully supported. Now it's a bit different. I see myself enjoying riding more Grand Tours, not just suffering for something that doesn't seem worth the suffering."
However which Grand Tour he will aim for next year very much depends on which one(s) the team is invited to. "Let's see what happens. I didn't miss the Tour this year, but it would be nice to return now that we've earned our place there. That gives it a little more meaning. I think if you enjoy something, you do it much better".
But Q36.5 does have more arguments to be invited towards the Grand Tours and classics, not only having Pidcock on board but also signing Chris Harper and Eddie Dunbar for the mountains; Quinten Hermans, Fred Wright and Brent van Moer as classics specialists and Tom Gloag as a strong talent in development who chose the Swiss team over Visma.
INEOS departure explained
Water under the bridge, but asked about INEOS, which he left one year ago after being removed from the lineup for Il Lombardia, Pidcock still had a few words to let out:
"There wasn't a specific moment; it happened gradually. INEOS is a fantastic team, they have their own motivations, goals, and how they want to achieve things. Ultimately, what happened to me was business – it wasn't personal".
Read also
Rúben SilvaEditor-in-Chief
A founding contributor to CyclingUpToDate since its launch in January 2022, Ruben Silva has played a central role in shaping the site’s editorial direction and long-term growth. Before joining the project, he built his experience through independent blogging at Echelons Hub and by producing race previews for Ciclismo Internacional, developing a strong analytical voice rooted in daily engagement with professional cycling.
Beyond editorial work, he has been closely involved in the expansion and coordination of CyclingUpToDate’s wider network, helping establish and support sister platforms across multiple languages. This includes ongoing collaboration with CiclismoAlDia (Spanish), CiclismoAtual (Portuguese), WielrennenUpToDate (Dutch), and RadsportAktuell (German), contributing to a shared editorial vision and consistent international coverage.
He also helps oversee editorial governance across the network, setting standards for accuracy and consistency and coordinating updates or corrections when needed.
Originally from the Porto metropolitan area in Portugal, he holds a bachelor’s degree in Geography. His path into cycling journalism was shaped not through formal media training, but through independent reporting, community engagement, and sustained on-the-ground involvement in the sport.
Over the course of his career, he has conducted approximately 100 interviews across road cycling and cyclocross, ranging from one-to-one conversations and online formats to press conferences and on-site pre- and post-race coverage. His interviews include leading riders, team managers, and prominent figures within cycling media: Tadej Pogacar, Jonas Vingegaard, Mathieu van der Poel, Primoz Roglic, Wout van Aert, Joao Almeida and Tom Pidcock; managers like Patrick Lefevere and Joxean Matxin; and YouTube personality Bryan Kennedy (BKXC)...
Within 18 months of launch, he helped grow CyclingUpToDate’s English-language platform into one of the most-read cycling news websites, built entirely from the ground up. As both a professional journalist and lifelong cycling enthusiast, his focus remains on delivering accurate, timely, and well-contextualized coverage.
claps 1visitors 1
Just in
Popular news
Latest comments
- many people advise him to grow slowly and rather do giro and/or vuelta instead of tdf. but i can totally understand that he is not satisfied with taking over once pogi declines, but instead beat him in his prime. so if he goes for tdf again, i‘m all for it. let‘s hope that pogi recovers soon!Ketterechts07-11-2026
- So gracious to offer something no-one would be prepared to pay for. The Giro is not the Tour and doesn’t command the same interest or attract the same “elite” (those willing to pay to be a part of something they consider has ego boosting potential). Roadside viewing will always largely remain free for everyone outside circuits. Introduction of a symbolic entrance to mountain climbs is worthy of exploration. Asking 1-2€ isn’t going to repulse real fans (most will spend 50-100€ on their outing that day all things included) but will prevent a portion of the total knobhead thrillseekers who will join in any large gathering as long as it’s free, just because they’re attracted to crowds, without which it it difficult for them to work up their anti-social behaviour.Jumpyjohn07-11-2026
- How is radio going to help when someone went over a cliff or bridge or off the roadside into a forest unnoticed and is laying there unconscious?Jumpyjohn07-11-2026
- Yep, next we’ll be accusing F1 drivers of avoiding Le Mans.Jumpyjohn07-11-2026
- But on what is that opinion based? Are you holding him to a different standard than others? Are you saying he should do learn to like something he doesn’t Are you saying he hasn’t achieved enough Are you saying he pretends to be better than his results? It’s actually a really strange opinion to oust if you consider it objectively or rationally. Try applying it to others or yourself by asking if not EVERYONE should then be doing more? Nobody in athletics or swimming gets criticism for not expanding their repertoire when a rival or someone else does. In fact, most who move to another event get accused of running from their rival. Opinions are boring, the reasons behind them are what count.Jumpyjohn07-11-2026
- for a medical chief to throw things like is just bad. There are already radios which were banned for spectacle. allow radios. Gps trackers are not a complete solutionabstractengineer07-11-2026
- Yeah man...PogiSloFans07-11-2026
- any rider less than 25 whether they are really ready for the position of leadership of GT is probably not the case. I think Pogi himself suffered when he was defeated by Jonas in the TDF twice. But that would be the team's job to ensure support so that they can bounce back. It requires a team and time to get back up and win after getting knocked down.abstractengineer07-11-2026
- I'm very glad he got the big late Quickstep Vuelta win and I hope he has a few left for Euskaltel-Euskadi.flyer07-11-2026
- My memories of Ivan Basso aren't good but I liked his sister Elisa ok.flyer07-11-2026
Loading
1 Comments