Tom Pidcock to target week-long stage races in build to 2024 Tour de France
British rider also likely to return to ‘iconic’ Strade Bianche in a bid to defend the title he won in March
![Tom Pidcock](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/uFuxJXfUNwiBqJFwmCJtQ7-415-80.jpg)
Tom Pidcock will look to target a week-long stage race victory next spring in order to prepare for a return to the Tour de France in the summer.
Pidcock’s coach and his Ineos Grenadiers team believe that victory, or a podium finish, in a major week-long stage race would be the logical next step in his development as a general classification rider.
The Leeds-born rider is yet to win a stage race since turning professional.
Pidcock’s coach Kurt Bogaerts told Cycling Weekly: “Of course we want to go with more ambition to stage races like Tirreno for example. It's his GC strength that we want to develop and that starts in some small races like Tirreno, Paris-Nice for example or the Critérium du Dauphiné. You'll not solely develop that in the Tour.
“We want to do a few more races like that with a little bit more emphasis on trying to do a good result and grow in the GC. That also shows why you do TT testing, why you do wind tunnel testing and gives purpose to it.”
It’s also likely that the 24-year-old will return to Strade Bianche in a bid to defend the title he emphatically won in March.
“He would like to target it [Strade Bianche] again,” Bogaerts added. “It's a race in general that he really loves and with the team we are putting a puzzle together where it's highly likely it will fit in."
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
Pidcock has ridden three Grand Tours since turning pro. His best GC result so far was 13th at this year's Tour de France.
Last year, Pidcock finished 16th on his debut at the Tour. He also won a stage on Alpe d'Huez and finished second in the best young rider classification.
Bogaerts explained that targeting a smaller stage race will eventually help him to break into the top ten in the Tour in the years ahead.
However, Strade Bianche will likely become a regular fixture in Pidcock’s programme after his scintillating victory on the Tuscan gravel this season.
“Strade is definitely a race that I see Tom returning to several times,” Bogaerts added. “Obviously it's not a Monument, but it's probably the one that comes closest to a Monument.
"It's quite iconic and is the closest you can come to like the old fashioned style of racing on dirt roads.
“The finish is quite nice [in the square], the environment is nice, that part of Italy is a really great place. I know that doing well in that race is something he would like to do several times.
"There's other races he would like to win once, but I think he wouldn't say no to a second win there. It means a lot to him, this race, and I see him going back there regularly.”
As well as winning Strade, Pidcock finished third at the Amstel Gold race in April before finishing second to Remco Evenepoel at Liège–Bastogne–Liège.
Influential teammates
Bogaerts explained that the willingness of Pidcock’s experienced teammates to share their knowledge has enabled the Yorkshireman to continue his rapid development across all racing settings this year.
Reflecting on his rider’s season, Pidcock’s coach highlighted one former Monument winner whom he said had played a particularly pivotal role.
“Kwiato [Michał Kwiatkowski] for example, won Strade in the past and other Monuments. He committed to Tom 100% that day… He gives experience of certain races that only winners can give you and he shares that with us.
“There is real respect between these guys… It’s unique because some guys can be very protective with their knowledge towards the younger generation.
"I've mentioned Kwiato but we have a lot of guys in our team that are sharing their knowledge. It's unique and very appreciated by us all.”
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.
-
Geraint Thomas tips Tadej Pogačar to take Tour de France stage record
The new Tour champion would need another 18 stages to beat Mark Cavendish's tally of 35
By James Shrubsall Published
-
'We'd get McDonald's on the way home': Inside Josh Tarling's rise from determined 8-year-old to Olympic favourite
Ahead of his Olympic debut, the European champion and his dad, Michael, look back at the scene that made him
By Tom Davidson Published
-
Tadej Pogačar broke 288 Strava KOMs during Tour de France victory
Slovenian won his third Tour title in Nice last weekend, and picked up a host of new trophies on Strava
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Primož Roglič reveals he suffered back fracture in Tour de France crash
Slovenian abandoned race after being caught up in crash on stage 12, Vuelta a España participation now in doubt
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
-
'A bigger result than winning': Jonas Vingegaard hails second place at the Tour de France
It turns out second place is not always 'first loser'
By James Shrubsall Published
-
'Even if I never come back to the Tour de France I will be satisfied': Tadej Pogačar revels in third victory
Three Tour de France wins before turning 26, the Giro-Tour double, the suggestion of a triple crown. Records tumble for the Slovenian
By Adam Becket Published
-
Remco Evenepoel: No one should doubt me anymore
The Tour de France's third-placed finisher suggests that he will have to reduce his time trial work if he is to beat Tadej Pogačar
By Chris Marshall-Bell Published
-
Tadej Pogačar: 'There will always be doubts... but cycling is the cleanest sport'
Tour de France champion addresses critics, saying it would be "super stupid" to dope
By Adam Becket Published
-
How Tadej Pogačar created history and won the Giro d'Italia-Tour de France double
A journey that was supposedly fraught with risk and uncertainty was anything but for Giro d'Italia and Tour de France victor Tadej Pogačar
By Chris Marshall-Bell Published