Tom Pidcock exclusive interview: Cycling star on luck, new team and a year without the Tour de France

Tom, what is happiness for you?

The goal (long pause) ... and the way there. Even if the road is hard, it fulfils me. Victory is the crowning glory, the happiness.

How long does the feeling of happiness last after a victory?

Not for long - unfortunately. Maybe the moment I cross the finish line and shortly afterwards. I even think it lasts shorter than it did a few years ago. Then my thoughts start to wander again and I think about what I'm going to eat or when I'm going back to the airport.

What makes you happy away from the races?

Happiness is a big word, but it's the little things that pop into my head. For example, going to a café with my girlfriend, taking my dogs for a walk or going skiing.

Mountain bike or road? It's about the money ...

If you could only ride in one discipline for the rest of your life, which would you choose? MTB, road or cyclocross?

Under what conditions? If all circumstances were the same, including payment?

No, if it was exactly the same as it is now.

Then road.

What if each category were paid equally well?

Mountain bike.

Spoilt for choice: MTB World Championships or Vuelta start?

Interesting! You said that you could imagine competing in the MTB World Championships, which will be held in the Swiss Valais between 30 August and 14 September ...

That's true, but it's not yet clear whether I'll be riding La Vuelta (Tour of Spain on the road, 23.8. to 14.9.2025; editor's note) start, which is in the same week. Two events, one appointment. That's a problem I often have. But I'd love to do it, because I feel like I've missed out on opportunities in the past.

What do you mean by missing out on opportunities? You won the World Cup in Glasgow 2024 and won the gold medal at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris.

Yes, but I was ill the year before. And at the 2024 World Cup, I was empty from the season after Paris. That's why I'd like to try again at the World Cup.

Since this year you have been riding the Scott brand on the road and Pinarello on the mountain bike. Why didn't you look for a team with a frame sponsor?

Admittedly: The situation is a bit strange, but I have a close relationship with Pinarello and I didn't want to give it up. That's why I'm now riding two wheels and I'm sure I'm on the right track.

Races like the one in Paris have shown just how spectacular cross-country racing can be. Why are road races so much more popular?

There is certainly not just one reason for this. Tradition plays the biggest role. Cross-country racing was on the right track. I think that since Red Bull stopped broadcasting the races for free, visibility has decreased again somewhat. To be honest, I don't have a subscription either. £30 a month, that's ridiculous. I don't have the figures, but I wouldn't be surprised if viewership has gone down since Red Bull stopped broadcasting for free.

Some say that the days of being at the top in all disciplines are over. How do you see it?

I think that's definitely possible. Not just by chance and not in three different World Cup seasons. But if you set yourself big key races as a goal, work towards them with focus, ride there, win and then have what it takes to switch gears at lightning speed and concentrate on the next goal in the other discipline, then it is possible.

You are known for your strong will.

Phew, is that me? (long pause) It's about how much you want to achieve something. I certainly don't always have a strong will. If I get the feeling during a race that I probably won't make it to the finish line first, I tend to give up too soon. That annoys me and I bite myself in the arse for thinking that way. When I know there's a chance of winning, it's easy for me to give it my all.

You're now on the Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team, a relatively small road racing team and therefore reliant on wildcards. Why this choice?

Because the team was the best solution for me. I like the challenge. I have my goals and can pursue them in my own way here.

The goal: Tour start in 2027

You said in a Netflix series that winning the Tour de France was your biggest goal. You can't pursue that with this team - at least not this year. Your racing team Q36.5 did not receive an invitation ...

Exactly, but not this year. But my goal is to get the team to the start of the Tour in 2027. I like the idea.

Let's talk about the team change again. Did your head or your gut decide?

My gut always tended to favour this team. Of course, your head also plays a role - and that's a good thing. Because you have to be able to weigh things up and think about who you want at your side when pursuing your goals. I'm happy with my decision.

There are many crashes in road cycling. What are the reasons?

Money. Money brings pressure, pressure brings expectations, responsibility. The more money involved, the more important it is to fulfil expectations. Drivers take a lot of risks to achieve this. They only brake at the very last moment on a bend.

How satisfied are you with the interventions of the rule makers, with the reaction of the cycling world federation UCI?

They try or pretend to. With things like not being allowed to celebrate before the finish line. What's that supposed to help? What a load of rubbish! The best thing would be limited gears (Translation restrictions; editor's note)which would reduce the speed somewhat. That might help the most.

A future in rally sport?

You can also learn how to deal with risks. Do you work with a mental coach?

No, it's nothing for me. Maybe when I won the Junior World Cross Country Championships, I had thoughts that dampened my mood. I also found it difficult to deal with some problems. That's no longer the case today. I've spoken to a few people, but it never "clicked" and I didn't have the impression that it would make me feel better.

A look ahead: Do you have a hankering for another sport, outside of cycling?

I want to switch to motorsport after my career. It probably won't be Formula 1, but rallying appeals to me.

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