Is this a WASTE of Tom Pidcock's TALENT?

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[@andrewbaggett8664]

He’s at Crans Montana because of the Olympics. The more mountain bike World Cup points he has, the better his starting position in the Olympics. Given the rest of the World Cup mountain bikers aren’t road cyclists, they’re banking points week in week out, Pidcock has limited opportunities. Pinarello will be paying a big chunk of his wage and an Olympic gold medal, in general in the UK, is held in much higher regard than a TDF stage (Pinarello developed their MTB just for him and Pauline). A second gold, in the UK, would massively increase his worth and this will be his last big push. Once this Olympic cycle is done he’ll switch 100% over to the road.

[@Krunch2020]

Good insight!

[@Rich-zb7vc]

i made a comment agreeing with Chris but as i read your thoughts you makes more sense, thanks

[@kevinriseborough1521]

Exactly! He needs to get those UCI points for starting position at Paris

[@georgeuhl6714]

In this case, full backing by Ineos for Pidcock’s Olympic MTB aspirations is only logical. 🖖

[@TC-ik9kn]

This comment is spot on ❤ , I would only add , the contractual pressure from RedBull to the equation .

[@alessandrobardini6885]

Chris's laws of cycling: 1) cycling is only road. 2) road cycling is only GT. 3) GT is only Tour de France

[@culpkangafanatic]

Only a few ever get the chance. Tom is elite with the chance. The hierarchy makes sense, but Tom riding what he wants is completely up to him and the team.

[@axelmogr]

Completely disagree. What worked for Chris in his career, in his time, with his style of training, with his priorities, worked for him. Pidcock is one of my favourite riders precisely because of his versatility and ability to win in different disciplines within cycling. His enjoyment & success stems from doing just that. Matter fact, his mountain bike skills are arguably the reason why he even has a TDF stage win at all, as MTB descending gives you so much confidence once you step on a roadbike and launch yourself down Alpe d'Huez at inhuman speeds.

[@TheFlyingDogFish]

It's like he sees road cycling only as a job, but his real passion is still mountain biking.

[@emichaelt817]

That’s fine , I don’t think that’s a problem

[@roddas26]

Yep he has said before if he could only have 1 bike to ride he would choose his Downhill Mountain bike.

[@erlendsteren9466]

Beeing a pro road cyclist gives you free training and huge power to enjoy when getting on the mountain bike :)

[@ethangodridge6833]

Just to add Chris, the day after his win in Novo Mesto MTB this year Pidcock rode 226km/7.5 hours from the airport in Barcelona to his home in Andorra.

[@jamessher6956]

We’re all not road snobs. I really appreciate Pidcock elevating MTB racing. I’m sure his bike sponsor is happy and he’s well compensated. The TDF is not the end all be all to a lot of us bike fans.

[@ptbot3294]

Pretty sure if Pidcock did MTB anything two weeks ago, Chris wouldn't care. The point is why do it so close to TDF.

[@asteele911]

He is a MTB world champion and has Olympic MTB gold. Probably win this year too, sponsors have got to appreciate that.

[@scottf3456]

I think they pay him to win on the road tho.

[@CM-ft9ep]

@@scottf3456 You mean like he did at Amstel?

[@roberthotter7008]

Not our decisions i guess. Chris is right from his perspective, but clearly T.P . is a butterfly, an his team accepting

[@scottf3456]

@@CM-ft9ep of course

[@johnnyhanel]

@@scottf3456 they built an entire MTB for him.. they want him to win on the MTB as well.

[@aarondcmedia9585]

Here's how I see it: 1. short track race is a good heart starter before cross country the following day 2. medals at olympics are the life blood of British Cycling re: funding, exposure, etc 3. Tom's defending his MTB title at the Olympics after the Tour - not the RR or the TT (Tarling) 4. Tom's short track race start was TERRIBLE. A couple of races will hopefully help him sort out any other issues like not being able to clip in and starting last (!!) 5. Any kind of win just before TdF will be a mental boost for Tom - he will come into the team with very high morale 6. He's only done 4 MTB races this year, otherwise he has had a very full calendar of road racing. This weekend of racing will be a nice mental break and also allow him to do something where he's the dominant one, rather than a domestique. I think this will add to his morale / have him coming to the TdF team in good spirits. 7. He's had solid results for the team in 2024 and as team manager I'd be happy to let him off the leash as a reward / thanks if he's going to go do some racing on the MTB - as long as he remains injury free! 8. He just did Tour de Suisse so he'a already there, no travel really required. 9. Crans-Montana is at 1500m elevation, so he's getting a bit of altitude racing in as well, another boon for Stage 1 of TdF. 10 Crans-Montana is a lot closer to Florence, Italy, than going home to UK, where the weather is sh!te. (Edit) 11. He gets to race wearing the world champs jersey in the long track race, which he dominated in fine fashion. He's going to come to the Tour pumped full of good morale and high confidence IMO. That first stage at the TdF is an absolute monster IMO, so having some snap in the legs will help him, IMO. There's no "Ride yourself into form in the first week" with this year's TdF! I would be having the guys on the TdF team do a hard hit out a week before Stage 1, just so they are ready for the TSS load they are about to absorb from day 1. Doing it in a race where you can get a final MTB hitout, a win or maybe two, some BC exposure, etc, etc, I think are all good things that will help his TdF ride. He's doing the same sort of workout I'd have the key TdF riders do, but in MTB format. My 2c, I love analysis + hypothesis stuff hahaha

[@koopalibrary]

he is a cyclocross world champ, mtb world champ. and won some nice classic races. i think that is who he is. Not a GC rider. Maybe a 1 week stage race. Nothing wrong with that. Better be a great classics rider in my book, than a top 10-20 GC Rider

[@culpkangafanatic]

No spoilers, but he does have interviews featured on the Netflix doc.

[@rhodriwilliams2891]

Except his main aim for this season is the Olympics XC, so this was his last chance for a competitive shakedown of his equipment setup (I expect he gets a decent sum from Pinarello, who launched their mtb line last year)… pretty sure he’s said in the past that he’ll get more road focused as he gets older, post Paris ‘24. I think he’ll be a ‘wildcard’ on the tour, hunting stages whilst the rest of the team focus on Carlos

[@swissbiggy]

You're spot on buddy !!

[@TheRst2001]

The brasil cycling Olympics. I remember watching Nibali and others risk there lives for a gold medal. A gold Olympics medal is massive for a pro rider , certainly more important than peleton

[@samuelmcbride1647]

Don't forget about career longevity. If Tom dedicates himself 100% to training and racing for grand tour GC and he has to suppress his passion for XC and CX at this stage in his career he may just burnout on cycling and quit early. But if you look at his GC career as possibly going for another 17 year (some guy won a gran tour at 41 so Tom could do the same) then made having Tom get these short exciting events out of his system now will be good for his total career longevity and stats. Look a Peter Sagan's career where Peter admitted that mountain biking was more fun but he did the smart money move and concentrated on classics and the green jersey until he lost passion.

[@Ricky690412]

Chris unfortunately you don’t understand that cycling is not only road and definitely not only Grand Tours! Some people, like me, prefer one day races. Additionally, guys like Tom Pidcock, have already earned enough money and they give priority to other things. He is doing what is passionate about and he is happy with that and we love watching him winning mountain bike races against a bunch of other super talented professionals (not amateurs!!!).

[@mutleyadamsracing2684]

Pidcock is special and Ineos is letting him do what he wants as he brings his sponsors brand awareness!

[@ragweedmakesmesneeze]

After Pidcock won the World CX Championships a few years back in the USA, we were all on a plane together and we were totally "fan boying" and asking for pictures. He graciously agreed and other passengers on the plane were like, "who is that?" And we paused for a second and said, "Olympic Gold Medalist" knowing that they wouldn't know/care what a CX World Champion was. So the Olympics explanation that many others have given here makes a lot of sense to me. Also, I think there's something to be said for this newer generation of "superstars" that have come from MTB or CX. They seem to care a bit less about the "right" way to manage their training/racing/career and more interested in doing whats fun for them.

[@dirtycxer]

Tom Pidcock adds so much talent and excitement to any MTB or Cross race he enters; he is also the current World Champion and he represents that jersey so well. The top racers in the MTB and Cross races are not weekend warriors; look at MvDP, Wout, Nino, Victor Koretzky; Pidcock beats them. What a joy to watch off of his road bike!

[@jamestalkscycling]

Yep! Among many things I disagreed with. Nothing more than his derogatory comments about pro MTBers. Guys like Nino, Blevins, Flückiger and Koretzky are not weekend warriors with second jobs. They are as professional as roadies and some of the best the sport has ever seen. Pidcock is just the Pogacar/ MVDP of MTBing.

[@MrBrianofarrell]

He is first and foremost a MTB guy trying to defend his olympic title.

[@Stefan_W.]

The two road bike jerseys are straight out of a Magnum P.I. Episode.

[@AdrrejHanzelj]

😂😂😂😂😂

[@bluwasaabi]

@stefan_W. TOH, Magnum has to stop a hit on Tom Pidcock by an aging star (PR). TC in the heli above radioing Magnum that Roglic has a machine gun hidden in his frame. Rick walking in front of the racers to go meet a bikini clad beauty on the other side. Higgins, of course recalling how he was the real coach of Eddie Merckx, and how he hopes Cav doesn't break the record. 🌺🚴🌊

[@TheAWallace1212]

😂

[@dhale751]

Ahhhahahah!

[@swisstopia]

I love the “Colorado Cyclist” jersey, on the left. Back in the late 1970’s, they started as a little wheel building shop in Estes Park, Colorado. A very close friend of mine was its last owner. 👊🦋🇨🇭

[@endaohalloran6649]

I think this is the last acceptable year for this multitasking. He does have the Olympics this year and an Olympic gold is huge for Britain and I'm sure Pidcock feels the same. And as he's still young he hasn't missed out on any prime years yet But for the next 3 years it would be honestly ridiculous for him not to hang up the mountain bike for the summer and target Grand Tours With his punch, sprint, climbing, light weight and technical skills he absolutely can win a Vuelta at the very least

[@johnouellette48]

Why would it be ridiculous? He loves to MTB, he makes $3 million a year as he rides now, why change? Why not do what he loves?

[@emichaelt817]

He can probably be a Roglic or a Wout Van Aert but not Pogacar or Jonas

[@culpkangafanatic]

@@johnouellette48the investment is not for his mt biking. He is a top world tour rider.

[@johnouellette48]

@@culpkangafanatic I think that decision is up to his sponsors…

[@adamgaisser1875]

If you only think stage racing matters then thinking this way makes sense. If trying to win a 2nd Gold medal is super important which it is for a lot of people then riding in the XC race makes sense. Winning a Gold medal is huge and only happens once every four years.

[@will3ishere]

he's trying to win back to back mountain bike gold medals

[@jimvee4528]

Chris, love this coverage. Especially all the insights into the training strategies that came out in your coverage since the Tour of the Basque Country. But, I think it’s classy to defend your Olympic gold medal in mountain biking. And it would be kind of sad not to try. And, if you’re going to try to win the gold medal in mountain biking , maybe riding at least one mountain bike race before the Olympics would be prudent.

[@milhouse53]

Chris can you please make a video about breakaways. All we need to know about it 1. How it is formed 2. Why and when 3. Why is it let go by peloton? What is an advantage to let it go by 5 min to only work crazy hard to catch it after? 4. How hard is it to catch a break away? Last year two flat stages breaks went away by Asgreen and Mojoric. Why couldnt they been caught? All these ins and outs of breakaways

[@TedSwitzer]

Great questions. As a very uneducated cycling fan, this interests me as well. The Netflix doc talked about how hard it is to get in the breakaway and we rarely see this coverage on TV.

[@pauljansen1137]

My opinion is that this young man should do what his heart tells him to do....he is a multitalent just like MvdP and he wants titles in evey discipline possible....he won't win a TDF even if he does nothing else than prepare for that...and he knows it....

[@jcoul1sc]

I think he was told to race by team order

[@pauljansen1137]

@@jcoul1sc I guess that it's time for him to look for another team if these orders are so strict...

[@rulifaller8474]

@@pauljansen1137Well that other team is not goingbto pay him the money that Ineos are. He is on a huge contract so it does make sense that they also want him to show himself on the scene with by far the biggest number of eyeballs. And on the road he is simply not good enough to build a team around him like MVDPs.

[@rulifaller8474]

That opinions understandable, but Ineos is paying him a huge salary. Tom is of course free to go elsewhere and do what his heart tells him to, but it is also fair for Ineos to expect something in return for their investment.

[@pauljansen1137]

@@rulifaller8474 I never said that he shouldn't show himself in the TDF....but let him go in the attack in some stages...maybe even go for the mountain jersey....and then go for that Olympic mountainbike title....

[@richardwolf6269]

From the pros closet stats: This one is interesting because we usually see mountain and road bikes locked in a dead heat. During the height of the pandemic though, road bikes surged ahead as many new riders arrived on the scene. Then things balanced back out, but this year mountain bikes have taken off - we sold over 10% more mountain bikes than road bikes. More people are getting out and hitting trails, and I love it. I think one big reason for this shift is the consistent growth of the gravel bike category, which rose by a couple of percentage points this year, and the massive growth in the E-Bike category. “E-Bike Road” doubled this year. Still, “regular” road bikes makeup over a quarter of our bike sales, and that’s not likely to change anytime soon. The TT/tri category has held steady at 4.2%.

[@TwoWheelWarrior]

The riders I respect the most are the ones who can win on the road and mtb.

[@user-yf8fh4ku9l]

I'm a road snob like you Chris, but speaking as a Brit I can add something to the comments of others talking about the mountain bike events at the Olympics: In the UK, winning an Olympic Gold is really something, that ranks far far higher than top 5 at the Tour. The UK has had 5 grand tour winners in the last 12 years, and top 5 at this year's tour will not cut it in terms ofpublic perception - but an Olympic Gold - especially against those Frenchies, absolutely will! This has nothing to do with sponsorship, just public perception, which doubtless is feeding into Tom's own psyche. Ask Cavendish about what is missing from his palmares? Yes at the moment the absolute stage record of stage wins at the tour, but he will absolutely say an Olympic Gold medal. He's had 3 big shots at trying to get one, and come up short every time. He's the only significant British based rider of his generation that hasn't got one, and many other less significant riders do have. Can you ask yourself also Chris (I don't know the answer to this one for American public perception) - what's worth more in terms of public recognition - an Olympic Gold, a grand tour win, top 5 in a grand tour?

[@simonorr594]

He's training for the Olympics in Paris in August!!!!!

[@ajdgx2]

Could Pidcock’s training be setting up for the Olympics to defend his gold? Maybe he’s a trail snob 😁 What’s your take on Matej Mohoric wasting training days to attempt Unbound in Kansas?

[@bens.6458]

They pointed out on Un chained season 2 that Pidcock comes from a ‘solo’ sport…. As does WVA and MVDP….. I think it really shows in their attitudes, they are used to Racing only for themselves, where as other riders have less ego…. It’s what makes that kind of rider so good on 1 day races.

[@jackgregory9014]

One word (you didn’t mention) Olympics. It is for the Olympics.

[@shaneralston5489]

I worked for Answer Products in 1996 when we sponsored Nutra-Fig with Felt bike frames. I recall you coming by the factory in Santa Clarita with the long blonde pony tail 😂

[@JosesAmazingWorlds]

It's the only thing he is going to win. He was doing cyclo-cross in winter, now mtb and a whole season of the pro tour. I think he is realising his limitations and struggling with who he is as a rider.

[@hisdadjames4876]

I disagree. He is a versatile rider, which he understands and enjoys. When he retires, he’ll look back on his broad palmares with satisfaction….with an olympic gold medal in mtb arguably equally important to him as an Alp D’Huez stage win. No harm done with some short track fun. He’ll win more big road races soon enough.

[@DirtRoadie]

Struggling? What rider are you watching?

[@ChrisHornerCycling]

I think he’s young and enjoys racing MTB but hasn’t yet realize how fun road racing would be if he was at the front battling more often with Pogi, Jonas, Rog, Remco. 🤔🦋👊

[@emichaelt817]

@@ChrisHornerCycling I don’t think he has that calibre of talent to challenge Pogi on cobble classics let alone grand tour. He was smoked twice in Ronde by Pogi

[@culpkangafanatic]

@@emichaelt817you mean everyone.

[@markgristock68]

Does it make any difference that the Olympics follows so quickly after TDF? He'll be going for a repeat gold there and I would imagine that was the primary objective for him this season.

[@L.O.K.I]

Agreed. He wants to defend his Olympic gold.

[@ChrisHornerCycling]

Oh sure. Tom probably did go for some connection to the Olympics. I just don’t care about MTB races over the TdF or an Olympic MTB race over the TdF. But to be fare I told you that I’m a roadie. 😱😂🦋👊

[@logojones96]

respect what piddock can do. Dont have a problem with him racing off-road, as long as people stop trying to say hes gonna be a GC guy at least in the next year or 2. if he just wants to hunt stages and keep winning off-road then thats dope. Won't be able to be a GC contender while still putting in all that effort on the MTB and CX.

[@johnwalsh9285]

Thanks Chris thanks Garrett for all your work on the show. Nailed it Chris call play after the Olympics will see any change training program for next year see what he can really do

[@jonathanzappala]

I don’t know, I think at the end of his career he’ll want two XC gold medals vs another good result in the tour he’s not ready to win yet. He’s going to have to choose though after Paris. Not that gold nets him more $$$, but it’s what everyone would love to achieve.

[@KevinKimmich44024]

Last year during the tour I looked up the TV audience size for that race--they say about 1 billion people worldwide watch it. Every other cycling event and discipline is small potatoes by comparison. Every season I see Pidcock, WvA or MvDP racing cyclocross I wonder if they'll keep at it the following year. Would any of those guys really be more dominant road riders if they dumped the offroad racing? At least with Pidcock it seems the offroad racing experience makes him a super bike handler and contributes to his success. Interesting topic.

[@MDP1702]

That one billion number needs to be taken with a pinch of salt. Those aren't unique viewers, but also include repeat viewers (and potentially also with a low time watching), which with 21 stage quickly adds up. I believe reliable research found that there were around 30-50 million people watching the most viewed stages for a meaningfull amount of time and for regular stages it is more around 15-30 million unique viewers. This still is ofcourse still above other events, with next few races (one days) coming in around the same as an average TdF stage.

[@AndrewDemack]

Tom Pidcock who comes into the Tour with wins under his belt is a Pidcock full of confidence. That’s the Pidcock who will do well at the Tour.

[@JohannesFrederik-bu4fs]

Jip there he takes the XCO win as well, pure class

[@swyllie30]

I say go for it. Hes young, why not live to the max. And these mtb rides are just an interval session for him.

[@daveallenwex1962]

It’s his time. It’s his life. He lives this stuff.

[@mutleyadamsracing2684]

Because Pidcock is a badass like Wout, new era Chris!!

[@cliveblackwell2316]

He's going to defend his Olympic mtb gold in Paris.

[@ericschehen6943]

Chris, New school is the answer. Intensity and fun for him. Full stop. What else is he doing to prepare?

[@kayhayes5114]

This exactly. Riders are so young now on the road there gonna get bored of it by the time there 30 he gets plenty in anyway as he nearly always rides back home to Andorra after almost every MB race

[@benanderson9551]

He’s clearly talented and happy, which over the long run will serve him better as he can have a longer career, rather than just sticking to road and missing out on other disciplines he enjoys.

[@briankleinman1111]

I’d love your opinion on this Chris. Rank what would be most important to you; an Olympic gold medal, a stage win at the TdF and a GC win at the TdF. My guess is that Tom’s rankings would be 1. TdF GC win (realistically I think we all know he’s not there yet) 2. Olympic Gold 3. TdF stage win. What do you think?

[@jcoul1sc]

They have this fueling strategy now, eating double what they normally eat, so need to race to burn it. Or ineos are forcing Pidcock to race as they equate off road with sales of their Grenadier 4x4

[@ChrisHornerCycling]

4x4’s do need some dirt 🦋👊

[@johnouellette48]

Do what you love, love what you do! He loves MTB, he rides road to make a living.

[@kimwalton2873]

I think its called "Jack of all trades and master of none". I don't think he can win the TDF with that kind of schedule?🤔

[@pingogpong]

He will never win the TDF most likely

[@thisstuschannel]

Except he is the master on the MTB.

[@realshaoran4514]

For a "master of none", Tom surely has won a lot more that most people out there. You don't become Olympic and world champion by accident.

[@stevemarriott2788]

Sometimes it's not always for the money.

[@dewiz9596]

Right. Sometimes it’s the beer

[@ChrisHornerCycling]

Probably a lot of beer and not much money. 💰 🍻 🤪😂🦋👊🦋🦋🦋🦋🦋🦋🦋🦋🦋🦋🦋🦋

[@ignore-fv7rc]

then don't take the money

[@shawnstangeland3011]

Btw he is definitely a potential gold medal winner for his nation. Sometimes representing your nation and making your nation proud may outweigh the Tour de France

[@TheSteveBernal]

Brilliant and focused perspective. As always.

[@cwhumble3]

Looks like Pidcock will be participating in TDF 24

[@ignore-fv7rc]

if a salary of 2 million did not solve his boredom issue, he's not worth 2 million. trade him for someone that cares enough to ride for the team

[@pupperwupper]

Can’t we just agree he’s amazing and enjoy watching him race in whatever whenever he wants to!!!!

[@foreveryoung8097]

Just watched the World Cup XCO. With Tom Pidcock on it and it was one of the most exciting races I’ve seen this year! Not so bad for a race full of “not professional riders”

[@marcanderson1396]

Tom flat out said his focus this year is another gold at the Olympics. So no, it’s not wasted training. It’s exactly what his goals are needing. He might win a stage this year and he might not. It’s not a stretch to say he isn’t a GC threat even if he wasn’t doing this.

[@alexandergebhard2390]

Always a bit saddend by roadies who fail to appreaciate to race all surfaces. Plus mtb events are more fun than living a monks live on a Volcano. Plus Pidcock needs points for a good start row at the olympics.

[@aghorn]

I wonder if Ineos’s directors are allowing Pidcock to do these races and get some happy wins because he’s going to have to be in the service of Carlos Rodriguez, their best GC hopeful. In Netflix’s Unchained series of last year’s Tour, Pidcock didn’t seem too happy about having to support Rodriguez. He wanted to get his own win, and he tried to. I don’t think Rodriguez was too happy about that nor would I have been in the same situation.

[@scottl8469]

We went to see the world cup XC race in Snowshoe, WV last year. After the race, we were leaving the venue; while driving down the mountain Tom Pidcock was in front of us, and he met up with a bunch of guys who were all heading out for a long ride. I’m thinking he might head out on a training ride again after the xco race on Sunday to get his volume in.

[@suisinghoraceho2403]

Let’s not forget Sky/Ineos’ origin in the cycling GB medal making machine. This is all for the Olympics and that really makes sense for him,

[@swissbiggy]

0min45sec into the Video... Simple question from Chris, "Why does Pidcock do this ?".. Simple answer, because like Tarling and Hayter, Pidcock does only have one main goal this season that is far more important than everything else... Olympic Gold.... And it is logic actualy, a Olympic Gold medal has far more value and exposure than a 6th place in a Tour de France GC that he can achieve in every non-Olympic season too... Now let's see what buddy Chris has to say in the rest of this video... ☺

[@johnsenior478]

1. Olympic gold medal 2.He doesn’t enjoy not winning. 3. He’s employed to road race- he loves Mountain Biking. 4. Who else can do what he does except MVDP?

[@user-ue5ry7or9e]

Like Lachlan, it's who he is. How many ex-pros do gravel and mtb because long hours on the road suck? I am sure it is in his contract, and they knew it before he signed. As far as being a domestique, it like the rest of us, work to pay the bills so we can be weekend warriors.

[@tobyward1154]

Brandon McNulty is allowed to prepare for the Olympics but Tom Pidcock isn't? He's defending Olympic champion and has made it clear that the Olympics is his main goal for the year.

[@martynhd8352]

I think it's great that TP is trying to be the best at all cycling disciplines. Remember that his goal is to win two gold medals at this year's Olympics....both the road and MTB XCO. Already world champion at CX and XCO. Add gold medals to that, of which one will be road, how many riders in history can claim that? No one. I say go for it Tom and do what makes you happy. Variety keeps you fresh. Anyway, if there's a chance he can win the tour to boot, even better.

[@janefreeman995]

I would imagine his mtb and other events are factored into his strategy, salary and sponsors and he's also so young with quick recovery. Confidence and mindset can go a long way.

[@xander0901]

I think there’s a bit to unpack here, and some of it relates to the current state of professional cycling. If you were to rank the different cycling disciplines in terms of prestige, road cycling is obviously at the top then you start looking at Velo, MTB/Cyclocross as tier 2 disciplines, then gravel as an emerging discipline. This also closely correlates to how much a team is willing to pay you. For example, WVA and MVDP are both incredibly successful in the cyclocross scene and their respective teams are grateful for their results in those disciplines, but I’m willing to bet they are getting paid the big dollars to win the top road events. WVA and MVDP have taken the skills developed in the cyclocross scene and have successfully translated those to their road careers. When I look at Tom Pidcock, I think he can be seen as an early stage of what WVA and MVDP are now. He is a very successful MTB/Cyclocross talent who is facing an important personal decision of whether he wants to commit to a career in road cycling. You can definitely see the days when he is going all out on the road races, but you also see times when he is a bit bored in the peloton. If his concern is getting bored, he should look at how WVA and MVDP have managed to balance their seasons because I’m certain those two are never bored when they’re doing downright ridiculous stuff in the road events. That said, Tom Pidcock is getting paid the salary you would expect of a rider who is more dedicated to the road events, so his pay may get adjusted if he is not willing to dedicate more to road cycling.

[@rabo99]

It was said before Olympic gold for GB and Ineos is Huge! Even a top 5 TdF is no match.

[@bartman1857]

After watching the " Unchained " Netflix season 2 I think he does what ever he wants. By the way the English dubbing bugged the sheet out of me. He wanted to go get an easy win. I have mostly raced mtb since 1990 and probably ride mtb 70 % of the time but world cup mtb bike racing bother me. Short man made obstacles coarses in city parks are lame let alone short track. No vertical or sustained climbs. Does nothing for road bike stage race fitness. He is not a team guy at heart but boy is he talented

[@kayhayes5114]

You should have put your language setting to French you would then have got the real voice with sub titles the dubbing is awful

[@robbchastain3036]

I respect your point, Chris, but these days, all sorts of alternate routes seem to be taken by road pros so who knows. Probably better for him to get this win and maybe another than slog through some more pre-Tour calisthenics.

[@Chunky246]

Edit: Amstel Gold... twice.

[@patrickenglish9593]

I’m with the comments suggesting that Tom is doing this for the Olympics. As for longer training sessions-on one world cup weekend this year he did a 3 hrs training ride before competing and still won so competing does not necessarily mean he is not training too

[@dennismwallentin296]

Ineos have agreed to allow TP to ride MTB / Cyclecross as it makes TP happy. That's the story which I find to be cool.

[@culpkangafanatic]

He is an individualist. He likes to ride individual cycling competitions. He has no interest in working with a team. By riding these events I think they are trying to placate him. Let’s see how it works out.

[@kylesmith4653]

He’s 24, wait till he turns 28. By then he might be considered one of the greats! Olympic gold medallist get paid well with sponsorship. France 2024 Mtb Gold!

[@Xhadp]

I'd say as long as Ineos is giving him what he wants to do it should be fine. We are seeing way too many teams not taking riders to key races that the riders want, or do not want, to go to. Which impacts them the following season and beyond. As long as he remains healthy, the team should be letting him do what he wants to do. Yes, there is appearance fees, or bonuses, and days between events that makes it hard to do but you should still be able to strike a balance.

[@J-cz7yv]

Chris you should do a live show before the tour, would be cool to see you answer a lot of questions

[@johnthomas8168]

As always, Chris, brilliant commentary.

[@thecellulontriptometer4166]

Psychologically, I believe that Pidcock wants to be in MB because he has had so much success there. Would he rather be winning on cycling's biggest stage(IMO) at grand tours? Yes, he probably would. But given the choice of having a win here and there in a road biking only career, or adding wins in another cycling discipline, I think he will take the added self confidence that comes from winning races. As others have added, he also needs UCI points for starting position in the Olympics. But I think he would do it even if this was not the case. He's a professional cyclist, and a win is a win. He won the race by a full minute reaffirming to himself that he has what it takes to win anywhere.

[@easternbrown]

To surmise, his mountain is a molehill 🤏

[@paulwebster4499]

Not sure on this one Chris. Toms's personal main objective for 24 is the Olympic MTB Title although he is also part of the road race team

[@samcooke2742]

Are you wasting your talent in the few years that you are at the top? Most of us don't have to answer that question, fortunately. Athletics history is a catalog of short-lived glory and a life lived afterward. Have some fun and look up Bruce Jenner's 1976 decathlon on KZbin. What a performance. He got to the top of a mountain and then amazingly decided to be someone else. Old cyclists like Eddy Merckx or Greg LeMond look like tavern owners now. Did you waste your talent if you're a tavern owner at 60? The Internet remembers your wins and you might save a scrapbook, but no one else cares, and whatever Pidcock wants to do with his fleeting youth, God bless him.

[@treszenrv9401]

He doesn't want to do TdF GC. My gess he's going to drop before 3rd week to get some rest before MTB Olympics, get a second 🥇 and gets one step closer to knighthood. Sir Tom Pidcock sound good to me.

[@cb6866]

Thanks Chris.....and Garrett...cool shirts ! Papillon !

[@AshKetchhum]

Couldn’t agree more. Im just a regular barista rider, and wish I could have fun with the top dogs in our local group rides. I wont be in the front if I don’t put the time and sacrifice.

[@angelsaulovelazquez3232]

I read a story of one of his recent wins where he rode home for 4 or 5 hours after his Sunday World Cup win, so he is doing the hours necessary to be ready for the tour. Besides being the focus this year, I would think MTB racing provides the "intervals" that he needs for preparation. What would be a successful TDF from him that would prove he can do both?

[@rybolov]

Mountin bike short course is the qualifier for the starting grid for the longer XCO.

[@RickLyons-mk6wf]

Tom enjoys riding a bike he excels at all the different types of bike riding witch is great I look forward to rooting him on in whatever he does in stead of the riders who settle for whatever pays the most

[@desmoMarco91]

I have the same thoughts, i've just finished watching netflix tour de france season 2 and was quite shocked about him not following team orders. I mean....the team is your employer and pays you millions, I'm quite sure patrick lefevere would handle him differently than how ineos does

[@kayhayes5114]

The Netflix show is Entertainment and some things are scripted for drama. That was one of them. They did not ask him to ride for Carlos on that stage he was only just over a minute behind Once he bonked he rode for him. If there’s no drama they have to make some they did it with him and G the year before but that was also scripted both guys had a good laugh about it

[@DirtRoadie]

It's OK, he did a longer training ride today. Although he did spend quite a bit less time than others who were doing the same ride. 😉

[@Firemage37]

I look at it this way and I'm sure you were this way too: every person has their own way of getting ready for big events. Some like to be sure they're well rested, some like to train, and some want to be in competition no matter what it is. In the case of Tom Pidcock, I think the team and his race schedule had a lot to do with this situation. Yes there's risk but I think he wants to stay sharp with his racing instincts. Whether it's good that he was in this event I can't say. Ineos hasn't put out their Tour lineup yet (as of me writing this post) so I'll reserve judgement until then.

[@chadhungerford5062]

I’ve been racing for 30 years. Racing on the road absolutely sucks ass! That’s why Tom in doing what he wants and what he loves.

[@Schabo1234]

Hahahaha right

[@richardmiddleton7770]

A grand tour and XC are worlds apart in terms of mentality. But all roads lead to Rome! As long as he's on form for the Tour, he'll do well. He's not likely to win, but if you never try...! He sure looks lean and healthy at the moment!

[@crazypaulinquebec]

A 20-minute event, good intensity training one week out...spinning out the legs...as long as he doesn't get injured!

[@foldupaudi7645]

Two words. Olympic GOLD ❤

[@charlielozada9323]

Just finished watching Netflix’ Unchained 2 and that will show you he does not listen to his manager’s instructions

[@JohnWycherley]

In a recent interview with Red Bulletin, Tom said he’s focused on getting the second Olympic Gold in MTB, then probably focusing more on TDF for next year. He wants that legacy of being great in a bunch of disciplines.

[@craiglindberg4851]

Simple. The Olympic MTB gold training is more important to Tom than a TdF Stage Win. That's true for his sponsor Red Bull too. I imagine he's negotiated non-road aspirations into his Ineos contract. I'm happy he' doing what he wants.

[@andrinkramer9804]

calling mountain bike world cup racers “not real professionals” is crazy. chris horner in his absolute prime couldnt have won a local cat 1 xco race

[@NathanEide]

He loves MTB racing and wants to win the gold medal in Paris. He needs UCI points to get better seeding and position in Paris. He’d rather do that than potentially finish 5-10 in the Tour de France.