Xmas Q&A Feature – Tom Pidcock

Bioracer_Example

A dominant winner yet again in the National Trophy Cyclo-Cross, the next Xmas Q&A features junior Tom Pidcock

RST Cycle Clothing & Trigon Bikes

Xmas Q&A Feature – Tom Pidcock

Otley_TomPidcock

1. What team colours will you be racing in for 2016 and what road races are you looking forward to most next season and why?
Tom: For CX, I’ll continue riding for Oldfield Paul Milnes. They have supported me really well with good equipment and race support even though I sometimes have to prioritise my BC Junior Academy commitments.

On the road, I’ll be riding for VCUK PH-MAS. I’m looking forward to joining them as they have a good team already with a few of my friends and they will be able to support me with equipment etc.

In 2016, I’ll be looking forward to riding proper road races on proper courses and stepping up into junior racing. I’m really excited about the opportunities next year will bring but a little nervous about the different sort of race and greater distances.

I will also be trying to be selected for the junior Paris Roubaix and the World Road Race champs, as well as the Tour of Wales towards the end of the season.

2015_Durham_Pidcock

2. What were your highlights in 2015?
Tom: I think some of the highlights were winning a lot of the senior crit races in front of the big crowds like Otley, Ilkley, Pontefract & Harrogate plus of course getting decent prize money.

I also had a great experience in Tbilisi at the Youth Olympics which was a massive learning experience even though I was ill for the road race. I rode for my team mate Fred Wright & helped him get a bronze so pretty satisfying.

3. Having come out of the youth ranks, was it easy to go from youth races to the longer senior/junior events?
Tom: I haven’t done any junior road or track races yet. I only turned 16 in July, but the ‘cross races haven’t been too different because 40 mins is still relatively short compared to the road races so it hasn’t been too hard to adapt. All the senior races I’ve done have been crits and the hard thing there is sprinting against seniors when I only had little junior gears so tactics were really important to get a win.

2014_SheffieldGP-21

4. How have you learnt so quickly to deal with big bunch kicks and tell us what the finals are like for races like Otley where you won and others – is there pushing and shoving, and how do you know what wheels to follow?
Tom: I think it’s quite often about positioning on the last corner so I always get myself into that corner first or second depending on how far it is to the finish. I don’t really look for wheels in these finishes just positions but in longer finishes I try to get on wheel where I know they are good but also who I think will go early so I can come round them when they start to die. Bunch sprints are always a bit full on – I like that though. You’ve just got to find a gap where there isn’t one sometimes.

5. What has been the best and most fun ‘cross race so far this season and have you had to do much skills work outside of racing?
Tom: I think the best (and hardest) cross race this season was definitely the Euro’s in Holland – it was my first big international cx race and it was really satisfying passing so many riders to come 8th after being gridded at the back.

Also that race was so much more technical than any race in England so that benefited me. I don’t really do any skill work outside of racing because, without sounding big headed, I think I’m already pretty skilful, although I often go dirt jumping, not to help with my skills but just because it’s fun.

6. Are the British CX championships the big goal and if so, how are you managing to mix that and being on the GB junior academy?
Tom: The British cx champs would have been a target for me but I have a track race in Alkmaar with the Junior Academy so I have to prioritise that.

I prioritise the academy over cx as it is an extra that I enjoy doing and I’m good at so I’m making the most of it; it is something different to break up the road/track seasons. I’m on the Endurance programme with the Academy so road & track is my priority with training for both but a bit of cx racing is good too for variety. It’s a real shame because I would love to win that striped jersey.

Since I can’t do the Nationals I’ll have to make the World CX champs in Zolder in January a priority. I’ll get really good experience from that for next year as I’ll still be a junior & I intend to make the Worlds a big goal.

AlpsCyclesMidstory

 

Send your results as well as club, team & event news here

Other Results on VeloUK (including reports containing results)

Other News on VeloUK

Tags: ,