British junior sensation Tom Pidcock has put pen to paper on his first professional contract, signing a deal with Belgian cyclocross squad Telenet Fidea Lions for at least two seasons.
>>> Pro bike: Tom Pidcock’s Ridley Fenix SL
The 17-year-old will begin riding with the team in October with an eye on the World Championships in Norway in January. Pidcock will make the transition up from junior racing with team as he turns 18 this July.
The Yorkshireman has impressed in his young career, taking British, European and world titles at junior level in cyclocross, and has turned successfully turned his hand at road racing, winning the junior Paris-Roubaix earlier this year with a solo breakaway.
Pidcock will benefit from the coaching of two-time 'cross world champion Sven Nys when he joins up with the team, with the Belgian star taking on managerial duties at Telenet at the end of last year after he retired following the end of the 2015/16 cyclocross season.
"This is the best cyclocross team in the world, led by the best rider ever," Pidcock said on the announcement. "I look forward to working with the riders and staff of this team!"
"Tom is seen as a cycling talent and had many offers but chose Telenet Fidea Lions," said team manager Sven Nys. "He is convinced that our team structure is well-connected and that we can make him stronger and better on a technical level."
Richard is digital editor of Cycling Weekly. Joining the team in 2013, Richard became editor of the website in 2014 and coordinates site content and strategy, leading the news team in coverage of the world's biggest races and working with the tech editor to deliver comprehensive buying guides, reviews, and the latest product news.
An occasional racer, Richard spends most of his time preparing for long-distance touring rides these days, or getting out to the Surrey Hills on the weekend on his Specialized Tarmac SL6 (with an obligatory pub stop of course).
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