Tom Pidcock says he wants to ride a Grand Tour in his debut season at WorldTour level, with his eyes on the Vuelta a España.
The British multi-discipline star is making the highly anticipated step up from under-23 to WorldTour level with Ineos Grenadiers and has brought forward his transfer to the team.
Pidcock had initially planned to start with his new team in March after finishing his cyclocross season, but the 21-year-old will be joining the British WorldTour squad in February, after the CX Worlds on January 31.
Speaking with the Lantern Rouge Cycling Podcast, Pidcock said: “I finish cross on the 31st at the Worlds then as of February then I change to Ineos. It was March but we changed it to February now.
“I’ll be racing. I’m Mediterranean Epic the mountain bike race first, then [Volta ao] Algarve and Opening Weekend [Kuurne-Brusselles-Kuurne and Omloop Het Nieuwsblad]. I’m not having much of a break, I’m going straight into the road.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UE3P4zvYI3o
Pidcock said he has some idea of his programme for the rest of the season, which will include Strade Bianche, a mountain bike block in June, then the Tokyo Olympics.
He also revealed that he wants to ride the Vuelta a España, but will not be racing the Tour de France or Paris-Roubaix.
In December, Pidcock took the biggest CX victory of his career at the Telenet Superprestige, where he beat world champion Mathieu van der Poel.
Last season the Yorkshireman also dominated the under-23 Giro d’Italia and led the British team in the men’s elite World Championships road race for the first time.
>>> Julian Alaphilippe reveals his big ambitions for 2021 season
Pidcock will be joining a wave of new talent at Ineos Grenadiers, including Adam Yates, Laurens De Plus and Dani Martinez, while Richie Porte who has returned to his old team for 2021 after a spell with Trek-Segafredo.
Thank you for reading 5 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
-
-
Stefano Oldani victorious on stage 12 of Giro d'Italia in race dominated by the breakaway
The Italian secured his first-ever career victory by winning at his home Grand Tour on the run to Genoa
-
Orbea launches Kemen and Kemen SUV city ebikes with up to five hours of pedalling range
An integrated battery reduces weight and refines the looks; for extra range there's the option of an additional external pack.
-
Ineos Grenadiers insist they had a 'good day' on stage four of the Giro d'Italia, amid confusing tactics
The train returned, but Pavel Sivakov was dropped on Mount Etna
-
Pavel Sivakov: 'I’m really happy to be back to my level'
Ineos Grenadiers rider in break at Tour of the Alps, caught with under 10km to go
-
Bradley Wiggins: Ineos Grenadiers victory at Paris-Roubaix was 'typical Dave Brailsford'
Former Tour de France winner spent the day on a motorbike covering the race
-
'You gotta love bike racing don't you, it's the best thing in the world' — Ben Turner after a dramatic first Paris-Roubaix
Ineos Grenadiers rider claims 11th after crashing, but sees teammate win race
-
From finishing outside the time limit to winning Paris-Roubaix, Dylan van Baarle 'buzzing' after victory
Dutch rouleur claims first Paris-Roubaix for Ineos Grenadiers after 12 years of trying
-
Ineos Grenadiers head to Paris-Roubaix without one 'pure leader', but lots of options
Filippo Ganna is a favourite for the race, but says he doesn't know why
-
Filippo Ganna to lead Ineos Grenadiers at Paris-Roubaix
British squad announce seven man team for Hell of the North
-
'Maybe we need to lose a few races so we don’t get too confident' - are Ineos Grenadiers the form Classics team?
Brabantse Pijl performance saw the team win race for second year in a row, with three in top five
