Pidcock bounces back from injury setback to win Tour of the Alps stage 3

Tom Pidcock (Pinarello-Q36.5) sprinted to a commanding victory on stage 3 of the Tour of the Alps in Arco ahead of Tommaso Dati (Ukyo) and Egan Bernal (Ineos). 

The day’s breakaway, Sam Oomen (Lidl-Trek) and Darren Rafferty (EF Education-EasyPost) worked very well with one another and were caught inside the final 5km on the fast downhill run-in to the finish in Arco by Pinarello-Q36.5 for Pidcock. The British rider had to be careful to avoid any late counterattacks, but he took control of all threats pointed in his direction.

In the end, the stage would be decided in a sprint, and it was Pidcock who was the strongest, and he had clearly read the roadbook, launching his sprint early, leading into a sharp right-hand corner and holding on in the final straight ahead of opening stage winner, Dati.

After taking 2nd on the opening stage, this marks Pidcock’s first victory since his return to racing after abandoning the Volta a Catalunya, and his third victory of the season in total. A positive indication for the British rider ahead of Liège-Bastogne-Liège.  

Just two kilometres after the peloton set off from Latsch/Laces, there was a significant crash in the peloton that forced the race to be neutralised. Multiple riders were forced to abandon the race, including Giulio Pellizzari’s teammate and under-23 World Champion, Lorenzo Finn (Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe).

When the racing resumed, and after a series of attacks, Sam Oomen (Lidl-Trek) and Darren Rafferty (EF Education-EasyPost) formed the day’s breakaway, and the duo would cooperate well with one another throughout the stage, meaning the peloton would have their work cut out to make the catch. 

Christopher Juul-Jensen (Jayco AlUla) attacked from the peloton in the middle portion of the stage, and the experienced Dane remained ahead of the bunch for a prolonged period as he tried to chase the front duo. Juul-Jensen wouldn’t be able to bridge the gap and would eventually be caught by the peloton.

With 17km remaining, Juan Felipe Rodríguez (EF Education-EasyPost) attacked from the peloton, teammate of Rafferty out in front, with the gap between the front duo and the chasing pack under 30 seconds. 

Significantly, Rodriguez’s attack came shortly before the bonification sprint where Rafferty picked up six seconds, Oomen four and Rodriguez two. Rodriguez would be swept up by the bunch after, as the front duo’s gap was just 13 seconds with 10km remaining, with Pinarello-Q36.5 leading the peloton.

Tom Pidcock (Pinarello-Q36.5) hit the front of the peloton with 7.5km remaining on the downhill, and the Briton's pace stretched the peloton out, before his teammate Chris Harper set the tempo to try and make the final catch to the front duo.

The catch was made with 4km remaining, as attention turned to a sprint finish. However, Ben O'Connor (Jayco AlUla) had other ideas, with the Australian and Pidcock locked on the wheel. The duo opened a brief gap before it was closed with 2km remaining.

Tudor led through the flamme rouge with Pinarello-Q36.5 in the wheel. Pidcock launched his sprint early into the final corner and powered through the final straight to seal victory.