'I feel some freshness coming back' - Pidcock shines in Norway ahead of Vuelta

Tom Pidcock (Q36.5) was the pre-stage favourite on Saturday at the Arctic Race of Norway, but the British rider still had to deliver the goods on the final climb to Måselv, and that is exactly what he did.

After a strong tempo set by his teammate Milan Vader (Q36.5), Pidcock attacked with less than 2km to go, on a steep section that reached 10%. Pidcock’s acceleration was able to distance all but one rider, and that rider, crucially, was the race leader, Corbin Strong (Israel-Premier Tech). 

The Kiwi showed tons of grit and determination to hold the wheel of Pidcock all the way until the finale, where the sprint was launched. Though in the end, Pidcock had more left in the legs and was able to come out on top in an exhausting finish.

In his post-race interview, Pidcock was quick to credit the performance of Strong, who held onto the Midnight Sun race leader’s jersey by six seconds over the British rider.

“It was a pretty incredible climb for a sprinter, so yeah, I think there's still a big race on for tomorrow, it’s going to be tricky, he’s a strong rider, obviously going very well, but obviously I can be happy with the stage win," said Pidcock in his post-race interview.

For Pidcock, this victory marks a positive trajectory in his return to road racing, having only raced once at the Andorra MoraBanc Clàssica in June, since finishing 16th at the Giro d’Italia in May. In the meantime, Pidcock won a round of the UCI Mountain Bike World Cup and became the European champion in the discipline. 

However, with his Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team receiving a wildcard place for the upcoming Vuelta a España, all eyes are firmly back on the road for Pidcock, who was pleased with today’s test, as he aimed to find answers for his current conditions ahead of the Spanish Grand Tour.

“Yeah, definitely, I think it’s been a long training block, a long time since I raced on the road, so I definitely feel some freshness coming back after a long first part of the year, and that’s a nice feeling," said Pidcock.

Pidcock also credited his teammates for the work they delivered, particularly the Belgian veteran Frederik Frison who spent the majority of the stage pacing at the front of the peloton to keep the four-man breakaway in check.

Yeah, I think Fred [Frison] did a great job, like 140km on the front by himself, nobody wanted to help, but he did a great job, and the team did great supporting me on the last climb, so thanks to them.”

With Pidcock now sitting second in GC, six seconds behind Strong, the British rider will fancy his chances of more success on a hilly circuit stage around Tromsø but acknowledged the strength of the current race leader Strong, and the difficulties that will pose.

“Yeah, for sure, it’s going to be a tough race tomorrow, like I said, Corbin’s got a strong team, he’s obviously going very well, so it’s going to be difficult, but let's see what we can do,” said Pidcock.