Tom Pidcock 'getting better every day' as he edges closer to Tour of Britain lead
The Yorkshireman is now just three seconds away from the overall lead as the race approaches the Isle of Wight finale
![Tom Pidcock](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/EA7SUx6WN6cFu8xxgm5VXL-415-80.jpg)
Tom Pidcock put his frustrations to bed on stage five of the Tour of Britain as the Ineos Grenadiers star picked up crucial bonus seconds in the fight for the overall win.
The Leeds-born rider finished third on the day’s stage won by Jordi Meus of Bora-Hansgrohe meaning he now sits just three seconds away from the race lead of Gonzalo Serrano of Movistar.
Post-stage, Pidcock explained that the racing was now nicely-poised going into the key stage six test through the Cotswold Hills of Gloucestershire and the team had more than rectified their previous mistakes from earlier in the week.
The 23-year-old said: “It was a good day for us and that was the plan to try and pick up some seconds at the finish. Yeah, we were making up for some mistakes and bad days really today.”
In a chaotic finish, a group of riders took a wrong turn as the race neared the finish sparking confusion in the main field. Pidcock had all eyes on the events as they unfolded and explained that the final run into the line wasn’t clear.
He added: “We came in and there was this right hand corner on a massive five, six lane road. We were going to take the shortest line on the right and suddenly there were barriers in the middle. It wasn’t so clear in that respect.”
The climbing on offer throughout stage six presents the perfect opportunity for Ineos Grenadiers as they look to push on and catapult Pidcock into the race lead. He explained to Cycling Weekly that the team still had multiple cards to play in the fight for overall victory with Omar Fraile in third.
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
After narrowly missing out on a stage win on his home roads, the Ineos rider admitted that tomorrow could be the day to make the difference.
He said: “I think I’m getting better every day now. We want to try and win this race now and tomorrow should be a nice hard day.
“Me and Omar are right there on GC so we’ve got two really good cards. Then of course we’ve got Magnus as well who picked up a few bonus seconds. We’re in a really good position now.”
After the drama of stage four, Pidcock was open in admitting that he and the team were feeling the frustration of what he felt were other teams looking at them to force the action. However, on the flatter stage five into Mansfield multiple teams were involved in proceedings as they looked to tee up their fast men, something that Pidcock welcomed.
“It was nice that other teams came to help. It shows a bit of respect and it’s how cycling works, it was a sprint stage so the sprint teams should work. When everyone else looks at us it gets frustrating, so it was nice to see a bit of collaboration in the group today,” he said.
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
Tom has been writing for Cycling Weekly since 2022 and his news stories, rider interviews and features appear both online and in the magazine.
Since joining the team, he has reported from some of professional cycling's biggest races and events including the Tour de France and the World Championships in Glasgow. He has also covered races elsewhere across the world.
As well as on the ground reporting, Tom writes race reports from the men's and women's WorldTour and helps with coverage of UK domestic cycling.
-
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
-
British Cycling says first two stages of Tour of Britain will be most 'challenging' in race's history
Riders set to face 5,000 metres of climbing across first two stages in the Scottish borders and northern England
By Tom Thewlis 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
-
British Cycling announces final Tour of Britain host towns for 2024
East Midlands to welcome men's race on stage four
By Tom Thewlis Last updated
-
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
-
Rod Ellingworth 'totally open' to Mark Cavendish making Tour of Britain appearance
'There will always be a place for Mark' says race director after Cavendish’s Tour de France record breaking triumph in Saint-Vulbas
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
'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