Pidcock candid after debut year as GC rider: "I don't really enjoy racing GC"

Pidcock, who is competing in South Africa this week on a gravel bike, says he is “really happy” with 2025. “We accepted it might be a bit of a write-off, a kind of transition to build for the future. But in the end, it went really well. I was in the best shape of my life,” the Brit told Cyclingnews.

That was mainly due to Pidcock's transition to a GC rider this year. In the Giro d'Italia, after a poor time trial on day two, it didn't look like it would happen, but with third place in the Vuelta a España, Pidcock was able to climb onto the improvised podium in Madrid. “I can only see myself growing even more this year and being even better next year,” he concluded.

“We will also have more time and more knowledge, thanks to new people in the team and close to me,” said Pidcock, who left INEOS Grenadiers last winter after a 4-year adventure. With that team, the Briton was the leader in the Tour de France, a role he struggled to commit to fully.

“There wasn't a specific moment; it was gradual,” says Pidcock about how things went downhill with the British team. “Ineos is a fantastic team, they have their own motivations and their goals and how they want to achieve things. At the end of the day, what happened with me was business – it was nothing personal,” says the rider, who was born in Leeds, effectively closing that chapter.

That said, Pidcock also became the undisputed leader at Q36.5, although it feels different to him. “Confidence and the belief of everyone around me, that was an important thing. Then there was the knowledge and the professionalism, too, in terms of training and nutrition. It's the highest level that I've ever had,” he says, sounding extremely satisfied about 2025.

"I feel really involved and part of the wider team, rather than just turning up to races and being a leader,” the Brit continues. “That's something I also really enjoy. I think I show leadership on the bike but also off the bike, helping to grow the team and helping to make decisions.”

As a result, Pidcock can be very happy with his year. “I think I can be really happy, especially with the Vuelta… PTo be able to perform in a Grand Tour is probably the biggest single step I have ever made for my career. And I also enjoyed it…. At the Vuelta, I was racing to win stages from the lead group, rather than just suffering to keep up and trying to get a top 10," he explains the difference with other years.

Still, Pidcock remains honest. “I don't really enjoy racing GC, but I do enjoy things that I'm successful in. That's why I'm a cyclist after all.” Third place in the Vuelta therefore changes things for the Q36.5 team leader. “It definitely changes things in my own head regarding Grand Tours.”

“Before, it was kind of a goal in other people's heads that I'd never fully got behind myself. Now it's a little bit different. I can see myself enjoying doing more Grand Tours, not just suffering for something that doesn't seem worth suffering for.”

Pidcock will also ride his beloved Ardennes classics in 2026, but is a Tour selection possible? "Let's see what happens. I didn't miss the Tour this year, but it'd be nice to go back, having earned our own place there. It gives a bit more meaning to it. I think that if you enjoy doing something, you do it a lot better," said the Brit.