Tom Pidcock sums up what many felt after Strade Bianche

Pidcock was one of the few riders able to put Tadej Pogačar under pressure in recent editions of Strade Bianche, but this time he was unable to make an impact. Just as the Slovenian launched his decisive move, the Brit was slightly further back after suffering mechanical trouble.

“My chain came off twice there, so I lost all my momentum,” he explained after a brief pause for breath on the Piazza del Campo. “But in the end, it wouldn’t really have changed how the race unfolded.”

It was precisely on Monte Sante Marie that UAE Team Emirates–XRG made the difference for Pogačar, while luxury lieutenants Jan Christen and Isaac del Toro shut things down behind in the chasing group. “I think everyone is a bit disappointed, because against a team like that there’s just very little you can do.”

“You can call it a race within the race, but that’s not how it works,” explained the 2023 Strade Bianche winner. “When Paul Seixas and Isaac del Toro went again on Colle Pinzuto in the end, I was too far back,” he said, shaking his head.