Flèche Wallone’s final climb 'is ideal for Tom Pidcock', says sports director
Pidcock will be looking for revenge after the frustration of missing out on Amstel Gold by millimetres
![](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/3kj6JPbEoJLgiy59r4wpbV-415-80.jpg)
The iconic final climb of Flèche Wallone is “ideal for Tom Pidcock", according to sports director Servais Knaven.
Pidcock will be lining up in the second Ardennes Classic of his career, after missing out on victory in Amstel Gold Race to Wout van Aert by millimetres last weekend.
Ineos Grenadiers rider Pidcock will be determined to get revenge in Belgium on Wednesday (April 21), having made his frustration about the Amstel result clear on social media.
In an interview with Belgian newspaper Het Nieuwsblad, Ineos sports director Knaven said: “Because he is so good, Tom gets a lot more chances than any other 21-year-old rider. In Amstel, Michal Kwiatkowski and Richard Carapaz rode in front of him in the final. We know he can do more than just the classics, but they are now ideal for discovering what he can do as a road racer.”
Traditionally Flèche Wallone comes down to a full gas uphill sprint on the iconic Mur de Huy climb, a 1.3km-long, nine per cent average ramp to the line.
Pidcock, who weighs around 58 kilograms which makes him a formidable climber, also benefits from a remarkable sprint thanks to his background in cyclocross.
Knaven said: “Perhaps that climb suits him best of all.
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
“It's a voyage of discovery. But its weight is an advantage there. And the length of the climb, the duration of the effort, is ideal for Tom.”
Pidcock, riding his first pro season on the road, has already taken his first win in Brabantse Pijl, where he outsprinted Jumbo-Visma’s Wout van Aert after a brutal day of racing.
But Van Aert struck back by winning the 2021 Amstel Gold Race by the narrowest of margins, with many cycling fans still debating the result even after the photo finish image was released.
Pidcock has voiced his frustration about the result online, saying in a now-deleted tweet: “There’s been a lot of speculation on Twitter. A photo finish is used to verify a result. However yesterday’s photo seems to have created more questions than have been answered.
“This isn’t correct, photo finishes should be 100 per cent accurate and should be in the future.”
>>> How to watch Flèche Wallone 2021: live stream the brutal Ardennes Classic
Responding online to the Ineos Grenadiers squad for Wednesday, which includes Richard Carapaz, Michal Kwiatkowski, and Tao Geoghegan Hart, Pidcock said: “But where is the finish line?”
Thank you for reading 20 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access
Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription
Join now for unlimited access
Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
Alex Ballinger is editor of BikeBiz magazine, the leading publication for the UK cycle industry, and is the former digital news editor for CyclingWeekly.com. After gaining experience in local newsrooms, national newspapers and in digital journalism, Alex found his calling in cycling, first as a reporter, then as news editor responsible for Cycling Weekly's online news output, and now as the editor of BikeBiz. Since pro cycling first captured his heart during the 2010 Tour de France (specifically the Contador-Schleck battle) Alex covered three Tours de France, multiple editions of the Tour of Britain, and the World Championships, while both writing and video presenting for Cycling Weekly. He also specialises in fitness writing, often throwing himself into the deep end to help readers improve their own power numbers. Away from the desk, Alex can be found racing time trials, riding BMX and mountain bikes, or exploring off-road on his gravel bike. He’s also an avid gamer, and can usually be found buried in an eclectic selection of books.
-
Unbound Gravel lottery opens two months early, ensuring riders are 'more prepared than ever'
Registration for the 2025 Unbound Gravel will open on Friday, November 1, 2024, and close two weeks later, on November 15. Lottery winners will be announced on November 21, 2024.
By Anne-Marije Rook Published
-
Star triathlete Taylor Knibb to take on world's fastest cyclists in the Olympic time trial
Colorado-based 26-year-old Taylor Knibb will be representing Team USA in both the individual time trial and triathlon at the Paris Olympics.
By Kristin Jenny Published
-
It's time to stop expecting so much of Ineos Grenadiers at the Tour de France
The British team are always under pressure to match their past best, but it’s not going to happen anytime soon
By Adam Becket Published
-
Tom Pidcock out of the Tour de France with suspected Covid
Ineos Grenadiers rider finished second on stage nine
By Chris Marshall-Bell Last updated
-
'I think I can be proud of that' - Tom Pidcock settles for second on Tour de France gravel stage
Brit wishes he 'had a bit more racecraft like Cav' after narrowly missing out on victory from stage nine breakaway
By Tom Davidson Published
-
'It was damage limitation': Tom Pidcock, Jai Hindley react to losing time on Tour de France stage two
"There’s going to be minutes in three weeks. 21 seconds doesn't mean anything," says Tom Pidcock after first blows dealt from the favourites in Bologna
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Tom Pidcock says Ineos Grenadiers will be 'better' at the Tour de France without Steve Cummings
Netflix series depicted tension between the DS and rider, dynamic sources told Cycling Weekly carries a degree of accuracy
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Tom Pidcock 'dreaming' of taking yellow jersey on opening weekend of Tour de France
British rider hopes to play starring role in Italian Grand Départ
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
'I think I'll get the opportunity to go for a stage' - Geraint Thomas relishing support role at Tour de France
Former yellow jersey winner says this year's race "could be my last"
By Tom Davidson Published
-
Tom Pidcock, Josh Tarling and Emma Finucane lead first Olympics squad selection for Team GB
Over half of GB's Paris Olympics squad revealed, with second announcement expected on 4 July
By Tom Davidson Published