'I sacrificed the stage' - Pidcock aims higher in search of Vuelta podium glory

"I sacrificed the stage. That could have been really nice, but we're racing for the podium, that's the main goal," Pidcock told reporters after the mountaintop finish.

The Q36.5 Pro Cycling rider found himself isolated in the crucial final kilometres while facing organised opposition from Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe, who ultimately capitalised on their numerical advantage with Jai Hindley and Giulio Pellizzari featuring in the front group.

"It's a bit of a shame really, but we have to make decisions," Pidcock explained. "For the stage, there are so many opponents. You must keep [riders like] Jonas [Vingegaard] and Pellizzari in check."

On the challenging final climb, Pidcock focused on defending his GC position rather than contesting the stage victory, and he rode over the line in second place, taking home four bonus seconds in the process. His cautious approach highlighted the strategic calculations required when balancing stage ambitions against overall classification goals.

When asked about lacking team support in the finale, Pidcock acknowledged the situation frankly. "We were all alone in the final, apart from the Bora boys, and they kind of showed it," he said. "Well done to them."

The British rider continues his pursuit of a podium finish in the Vuelta, as he still sits in third place in the general classification, with a 36 second buffer over Jai Hindley. 

With only one mountaintop finish to go on stage 20, Pidcock remains in prime position to finish on the podium, but Thursday's Valladolid time trial will reveal more.