'Most unenjoyable race of the year' - Pidcock's battles through brutal Rwanda Worlds

Tom Pidcock (Great Britain) described the punishing World Championships course as the “most unenjoyable race of the year,” as the British rider ended the day 10th, behind Tadej Pogačar (Slovenia), who produced a 66km solo effort to defend his rainbow jersey. 

"Because it was so hard," a smiling Pidcock told Eurosport when asked to explain his assessment. "To be honest, I didn't feel so good at the start, and then I was coming around and into the race, and then I completely blew, and then it was survival to the finish, not much more to say, it was absolutely brutal."

It was a race of mixed feelings for the 26-year-old, who admitted that he initially struggled in the early stages of the race. Pidcock eventually found his good legs at an important time to make a select group of five riders behind Pogačar, featuring Ben Healy, Mattias Skjelmose, Jai Hindley and Remco Evenepoel, putting the British rider in podium contention. 

"At one point, when it was the five of us away behind Tadej, at that point I thought 'anything is possible now', but then the legs fell off," he said.

Towards the top of the cobbled Côte de Kimihurura climb, Pidcock’s challenge faded when he was distanced by Evenepoel, Healy and Skjelmose. Hindley was distanced a little while earlier on the cobbled climb, the rider with whom Pidcock was in direct competition for the third and final spot on the podium at the Vuelta a España.

Like the Spanish Grand Tour, Pidcock got the better of the Australian and fought valiantly despite being caught by riders behind to end 10th, his second-best result in the elite men’s road race world champs after 6th in 2021 in Leuven, Belgium.

Pidcock took credit from the fact that he was the best finisher on the day from those at the Vuelta, a quick turnaround from the Spanish Grand Tour, which finished just two weeks ago. 

"I think, to be honest, I think I was the best guy coming from the Vuelta, you can't have everything these days, I did my best like I said I would, and that's it," Pidcock said.

Prior to the race, Pidcock had downplayed the impact of altitude on his performance in Rwanda, but he conceded afterwards that it had been more challenging than expected.

"Yeah, I played it down, before I actually did any efforts or experienced it. I did efforts after I talked to you, and it was hard," concluded Pidcock to the reporter with a smile.