Tom Pidcock in disbelief with Wout van Aert's strength: 'He's playing with our balls'
The Briton was responding to Wout Van Aert's long-range attack on stage six of the Tour de France
Tom Pidcock (Ineos Grenadiers) couldn't help but share his disbelief to reporters while talking about Wout Van Aert's (Jumbo-Visma) performance on stage six of the Tour de France, stunned with the strength the Belgian displayed.
Van Aert, Quinn Simmons (Trek-Segafredo) and Jakob Fuglsang (Israel-Premier Tech) created the first breakaway of stage six that stuck, with the trio's lead growing to four minutes during the course of the day. However, Fuglsang dropped off the front midway through the race, with Simmons also unable to match the pace set by Van Aert.
Consequently, Van Aert had to complete a 30km solo attack if he wanted to win another stage of this year's Tour, as well as extend his lead on GC. He didn't quite have the legs to assert his dominance, though, with the peloton catching him in the remaining 11km of the race.
However, this didn't stop Pidcock from expressing how shocked he is with the Belgian's capabilities on the longest stage of this year's Tour, an undulating 220km in Belgium and northern France.
Speaking to reporters immediately after the race, Pidcock highlighted his - and other riders' - feelings on Van Aert.
"He's playing with our balls isn't he? I don't know what to say to be honest. He's taking the piss, isn't he," Pidcock said.
Ultimately, Van Aert relinquished control of the yellow jersey with his audacious attempt, paving the way for Tadej Pogačar (UAE Team Emirates) to move into the overall lead. The Belgian's tactics shocked many, and it's certainly not a tactic utilised by many race leaders.
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
Pidcock, meanwhile, crossed the line in fourth, just missing out on his first-ever podium spot at the Tour de France. Regardless, the Ineos Greandiers rider seemed happy he managed to hold onto the pace at the front of the peloton, with his performance moving him up to fifth on GC.
“My legs came good in the last 3km but after that start and trying to get in the breakaway I was thinking that there’s no way I could contest this final," he explained.
"I was feeling good there and then Roglič went a bit early and then caught everyone by surprise, then I had to stall and that killed my momentum. In the end I think that I did a good sprint but I think that Pogačar was the strongest.”
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
Ryan is a staff writer for Cycling Weekly, having joined the team in September 2021. He first joined Future in December 2020, working across FourFourTwo, Golf Monthly, Rugby World and Advnture's websites, before making his way to cycling. After graduating from Cardiff University with a degree in Journalism and Communications, Ryan earned a NCTJ qualification to further develop as a writer.
-
Giro d'Italia 2024 start list: Geraint Thomas to lead "aggressive" Ineos Grenadiers
All the teams and riders for the 107th Giro d'Italia
By Adam Becket Published
-
Giant files lawsuit and recruits top Stages Cycling staff as power meter brand closes down
Giant filed a suit against Stages in February and four team members left the latter to join Giant
By Michelle Arthurs-Brennan Published
-
New study reveals impact of chest fairings in time trials - and it’s big
Objects stuffed in skinsuits offer ‘significant’ drag reduction and can save seconds against the clock
By Tom Davidson Published
-
'We're thinking about it' - drone filming might be used at the Tour de France this year
France Télévisions to discuss drone broadcasts with Tour stakeholders
By Tom Davidson Published
-
British bid to host Tour de France Grand Départ in 2026 abandoned
UK Sport confirms that Tour Grand Départ is now merely an "opportunity" in 2027
By Jeremy Whittle Published
-
Sepp Kuss says he can win the Tour de France - but can he really?
The American is a master of the mountains, but he'll have to topple the Visma-Lease a Bike hierarchy if he wants a yellow jersey
By Tom Davidson Published
-
BMC applies for help from Swiss government to avoid job cuts
Government will pay wages via ‘short-time working’ to avoid job losses at Swiss bike giant
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
'Spreading laughter on the roads of France': The Laughing Cow returns to the Tour de France
La Vache qui rit returns to the French Grand Tour as a sponsor, meaning the caravan might be a bit smellier this year
By Adam Becket Published
-
Jonas Vingegaard reveals he missed an anti-doping test
'It's not great to have a missed test hanging over you,' says Tour de France champion
By Tom Davidson Published
-
Over 8 million people have watched this TikTok video of a ‘Tour de France’ horse incident
The farm animal wasn't the last to make a cameo at a bike race
By Tom Davidson Published