Tom Pidcock reveals missed dream as brother Joey ends professional career at just 24

The Pidcock brothers had one last opportunity to celebrate a victory together on Sunday, with Pinarello Q36.5 committing fully to Tom's ambitions on the final climb to Nongla Scenic Spot. Matteo Moschetti helped control the race throughout the day before Joey and Milan Vader increased the pace on the uphill finish.

Tom made his move inside the final metres, but Widar had enough left to respond. The Belgian crossed the line six seconds ahead, securing both the stage victory and the overall title, with Pidcock finishing second in both classifications.

"The team committed fully for me today," Pidcock said after the stage. "Matteo did an amazing job all day controlling the breakaway. On the final climb, Joey and Milan helped keep the pace high. I felt really good, but I was second best today."

The result was particularly frustrating given the significance of the occasion. Writing on Instagram after the race, Pidcock revealed what he had hoped would be a memorable final outing with his younger brother.

"Today I dreamed of winning with Joey in his last pro race but we had to settle for second… again," he wrote.

For Joey, the Tour of Guangxi brought an end to a career that had taken him through some of cycling's leading development teams. The Leeds-born rider began his professional journey with Groupama-FDJ's Continental squad in 2021 before joining Trinity Racing in 2023.

His breakthrough came in 2024, when he won stages at the Ronde de l'Isard in France and the Rás Mumhan in Ireland. Those performances helped earn him a move to Q36.5 for the following season, joining Tom after his high-profile departure from Ineos Grenadiers.

It was the first time the brothers had raced for the same professional team. While Tom became the squad's leading figure, Joey established himself in a supporting role, contributing to the team's ambitions in stage races and the spring Classics.

His time at Q36.5 also brought individual results, including fourth overall at the 2025 Tour de Kyushu in Japan. But after two seasons alongside his brother, the Tour of Guangxi proved to be his final appearance in the professional peloton.

For Tom, the missed victory did little to overshadow his satisfaction with the wider season. He highlighted his rise to fifth in the world rankings and Pinarello Q36.5's twelfth place in the team standings as evidence of their progress.

"I can be proud of how far myself and Pinarello Q36.5 have come," he wrote.

With his season now finished, Pidcock will take a break from competition. He has already confirmed that he will not return to cyclocross this winter, extending his absence from the discipline for a third consecutive season.

"Now time for some fun and a good old rest," he concluded. "But I must say… I'm already excited for next year."