Pidcock takes gutsy fourth at Strade
- 04 Mar 24
- race Report
Strade Bianche, 215km
Tom Pidcock put in a spirited ride to claim a solo fourth position following a late attack at Strade Bianche.
The Brit pushed clear of a group of chasers inside the final 20 kilometres of the race, opening up a gap which he maintained into Siena.
The strong result backed up the Yorkshireman's win last season, with 2024 seeing another long-range attack produce the victory. Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates) launched an audacious move with 81km still to go, and was able to solo away from the rest of the peloton.
The INEOS Grenadiers had numbers in the chasing pack, with Thymen Arensman and Magnus Sheffield helping propel the group forward. Heading into the closing stages, counter attacks began from the group. With the duo of Toms Skujins (Lidl-Trek) and Maxim Van Gils (Lotto Dstny) combining well to secure the podium places up ahead, Sheffield was among the riders to push on heading into the final 25km.
That helped lay the groundwork for Pidcock's move and a strong top-five finish in the Piazza del Campo. Sheffield came home 18th as the peloton were spread far and wide following a brutal race.
"[Even] before Tadej attacked it was full gas. He attacked and it felt like we were in the grupetto to be honest. I waited too long – too little too late. If I’d played it a bit better I’d have been second, but I don’t really have any words for that to be honest. "I think I was just waiting and letting everyone else attack – they were jumping a lot. But I left it too late which is unfortunate."
Tom Pidcock
