'Everyone is beatable' – Pidcock's road to Pogacar Strade Bianche rematch runs through Jaén

Tom Pidcock (Pinarello-Q36.5) will be the star attraction when he makes his debut at the Clásica Jaén Paraíso Interior on Monday. With 25km of gravel split across six sectors along the course, the race will double as something of a dress rehearsal for next month’s Strade Bianche.

“I think it’s the only one. They have similar conditions; it’s a very similar type of race,” Pidcock told Marca. “I’m curious to compete in it. 

“It’s the best race for me at this time of year. I’m starting my season in Spain, and this race fits perfectly with what I want for myself.”

Pidcock won Strade Bianche with a spectacular solo effort in 2023, and he impressed on the Tuscan gravel again last year, even if he was ultimately outmatched by breakaway companion Tadej Pogačar (UAE Team Emirates-XRG). Pogačar will start his 2026 campaign at Strade Bianche, and Pidcock will set out on March 8 among the very few riders harbouring genuine ambitions of beating him.

“Yes,” Pidcock said when asked if Pogačar was beatable, though he felt the question was moot. “There’s no strategy. Everyone is beatable, that’s all I know. I’m not going to talk about how to beat people. It’s a question I always get asked. I don’t worry about that. I just worry about being in the best shape possible. But if you’re asking me if he’s beatable, then yes. Everyone is beatable.”

Pidcock began his 2026 season at the wind-interrupted Vuelta a Murcia, where he placed third on stage 1 behind the UAE duo of Marc Soler and Julius Johansen in Yecla on Friday. After riding in Jaén on Monday, he will remain in Andalusia for the Ruta del Sol before tackling Omloop Het Nieuwsblad ahead of Strade Bianche.

Milan-San Remo and the Ardennes Classics will be major targets later in the Spring, while 2026 will also see Pidcock return to the Tour de France and make a concerted tilt at the general classification for the first time.

Speaking to the Observer this week, Pidcock admitted that he “wasn’t exactly excited” when he heard Pinarello-Q36.5’s wildcard spot at the Tour had been confirmed, but he will return to the race buoyed by his podium finish at last year’s Vuelta a España.

“Before, I wasn’t at that level to compete for a podium,” Pidcock said. “When you’re competing just to stay in the top 10, I struggle to find the motivation to do that and I have to battle with that for three weeks. It’s just draining.”

“I need to refind that excitement for the Tour. There’s such high pressure and expectations from external people, but also internally, from teams. In our team, I think it will be different. My main goal is to go there and have fun and enjoy it and I think that will bring success. Obviously, we’re going to have to train our balls off.”