🎥 The first images of Tom Pidcock and his Pinarello-Q36.5 teammates from Chile do not disappoint

The choice to go to Chile was made — according to Head of Performance Kurt Bogaerts — for several reasons. The weather in Chile is better than in Tenerife or Spain, and practically it’s also less crowded with all of the dozens of other cycling teams preparing for a new season there. “A hefty financial picture,” Bogaerts said recently. “But Pinarello-Q36.5 thought it was worth it.”

Together with Brent Van Moer, Xandro Meurisse, Quinten Hermans, Thomas Gloag, Fred Wright, and Fabio Christen, Pidcock flew toward South America, where, after a short period of acclimatisation, the bikes were quickly out. Via the social channels of Van Moer, Hermans and Christen we’ve already seen beautiful images of gravel roads, goat paths and quiet paved descents.

That Pidcock — according to his coach — asked for “specific tyres” to also ride off-road now and then proved early to be a great call. In a reel from Christen, we see the British daredevil descending a very steep trail. We wonder whether the rest has been followed. On 13 February, Pidcock will kick off his season with the Spanish one-day race Vuelta a la Región de Murcia, followed by Clásica Jaén and Ruta del Sol.

In the spring we’ll see the third-place finisher from last year’s Vuelta a España back at the race he loves — Strade Bianche — and he’ll make another attempt to follow Mathieu van der Poel and Tadej Pogačar at Milan-San Remo. Also on the schedule are Omloop Het Nieuwsblad and Milano-Turin. Through the Tour of Catalonia he will complete his Ardennes block: Brabantse Pijl, Amstel Gold Race, La Flèche Wallonne and Liège-Bastogne-Liège.

Pidcock and six teammates will train in South America for a month. According to Bogaerts, that should have actually remained secret, but it came out via social channels. “It’s all about the climate,” the Belgian said. “Most teams head for altitude camps in the Sierra Nevada and Tenerife. But those places have regularly had to deal with poor weather in this period,” the Belgian told Play Sports.

Pidcock — living in Andorra — knows from first hand that European winter weather has been unreliable. Visma | Lease a Bike was recently soaked in rainy Calpe in Spain, and even in Tenerife good weather in 2026 isn’t guaranteed. The Sierra Nevada has been hit by heavy snowfall this winter. In Chile, temperatures in January will be around 30 °C.

Bogaerts emphasised that the riders themselves were allowed to choose, because a South American trip will last a month on the other side of the world and it’s therefore not just a training camp. Pidcock “raised his hand first,” and besides the riders there are also two sports directors, one trainer, three soigneurs, two mechanics, a nutrition coach and a chef going with them. (“Pidcock ‘stak zijn vinger als eerste in de lucht’ …”)

Sponsors, according to Bogaerts, immediately face “a hefty financial picture.” But it appears to be worth it. In addition to transporting the whole squad, accommodation has to be booked locally too. Bogaerts emphasised that the riders who are going are extremely enthusiastic about this opportunity — something he believes will be very important mentally.

There will also be off-road training sometimes. “Tom asked to bring specific tyres along and most riders we’re taking to Chile like off-road, or have an off-road background. That makes it extra fun.” The group will return to Europe on 5 February, with enough time to overcome jet lag ahead of Pidcock’s season opener.