Pidcock discusses Omloop and criticizes 'support', while his controversial former team leader also speaks out.

Starting with Pidcock, who has started this year at lightning speed. He won two stages, the GC in the AlUla Tour and a stage win in the Ruta del Sol. So, there is no reason for doubt, although he does try to lower expectations for the Opening Weekend in a press release from his team. "Omloop Nieuwsblad is always an interesting race. It's the first one-day race where everyone can gauge how they came out the winter. I've never been on the podium in the Omloop. If I could manage that, I would be very happy because I don't think it suits me perfectly."

However, he also confirms in conversation with journalist Daniel Benson that he is in good form. "It's a difficult race for me to win compared to other Classics. I've always struggled at the end on the Muir and the Bosberg, so honestly, it's easy to do better than before," he said.

Pidcock is where he belongs; that much is clear. "I am a different and better rider, but that does not always show in races. I want to take this good start into the next races, and we at Q36.5 are not the kind of team that feels the pressure. We can race without pressure and focus on what we have to do. That is a nice feeling to have. There were some super strong teams at the start, but we have shown that we work well together, and I think we are a strong team, too."

In addition to Pidcock, who is, of course, the leader of the Swiss team in Omloop Het Nieuwsblad, Rory Townsend, Jannik Steimle, Frederik Frison, Nick Zukowsky, Kamil Małecki, and Fabio Christen are also part of the seven-man selection. All the spotlights will be on the Brit, but Christen could just as quickly surprise Pidcock. Two weeks ago, the young Swiss rider won the Vuelta a la Región de Murcia impressively.

Pidcock's comments about the great support he receives cannot be seen in isolation from his departure from INEOS Grenadiers this winter. It was a long saga, but at Q36.5, he was the prominent leader they had hoped for. "I am coping well with that responsibility and my involvement in the team. When you feel involved and important, it also feels like you have something to prove to the team. Our relationship drives us, that's for sure." Cummings agrees: "Tom loves freedom and wants to be autonomous and the leader."

And to think there are rumors that deals have been made to keep Pidcock at INEOS. Sports director Cummings had to leave because he would not have been able to get along with Pidcock. "On a personal level, I have never had a problem with him, and I still don't," he said. However, he now adds to this on Eurosport: "He is in a league of his own now. There were many talents and responsibilities at INEOS, and several world-class riders were there. It wasn't just about him, and he was not happy. What happened was one big misunderstanding. As a professional, you put that behind you. I wish Tom the best of luck."

Pidcock’s determination to perform in Omloop Het Nieuwsblad likely stems from the fact that it will be his only cobbled classic of the spring. After Saturday, the Brit heads to Italy for the Strade Bianche - Tirreno-Adriatico - Milan-San Remo block, before shifting his focus to the Ardennes classics. In Kuurne-Brussels-Kuurne, the Swiss team won’t be backing a single leader.

As a result, the squad will see some changes, with Giacomo Nizzolo, Nicoló Parisini, and Matteo Moschetti joining the lineup. It’s likely that Nizzolo will be the team's main card on Sunday. The Italian has already shown strong form this year, finishing second in the fourth stage of the AlUla Tour, proving he can still compete with the fastest sprinters. Additionally, Moschetti and Frison may also get opportunities to make their mark.

Tom Pidcock (only Omloop Het Nieuwsblad)
Fabio Christen (only Omloop Het Nieuwsblad)
Nick Zukowsky (only Omloop Het Nieuwsblad)
Rory Townsend
Jannik Steimle
Frederik Frison
Kamil Małecki
Giacomo Nizzolo (only Kuurne-Brussels-Kuurne)
Nicoló Parisini (Kuurne-Brussels-Kuurne only)
Matteo Mochetti (Kuurne-Brussels-Kuurne only)