The British superstar kicks to second to prove GC credentials: ‘This gives me confidence going into the hardest stages to come.’
Pidcock rode Almeida’s wheel much of the climb and then pipped him for second place. (Photo: Dario Belingheri/Getty Images)
Updated August 31, 2025 10:50AM
VALDEZCARAY, Spain (Velo) — Tom Pidcock vaulted up the Vuelta a España GC on Sunday after a fiery duel with João Almeida and a brutal mountain finish dominated by Jonas Vingegaard.
Tempers flared as the pair chased Vingegaard’s rooster-tail up the surprisingly decisive GC stage to close out the Vuelta’s first week.
Pidcock clung to Almeida’s wheel in the rain-lashed finale to Valdezcaray before out-sprinting UAE’s Portuguese captain for second place.
“João told me to grow some balls,” Pidcock said with a laugh. “ If he rides a bit slower, I’ll give him some more turns.”
Vingegaard detonated the GC group with a searing attack near the bottom in a move few had expected on a stage everyone circled for the breakaway.
When a five-rider break, including American Kevin Vermaerke, couldn’t open up too much headway, teams like Lidl-Trek and Pidcock’s Q36.5 Pro Cycling turned up the volume. Visma-Lease a Bike piled on to set up Vingegaard for the Dane’s second stage win of this Vuelta.
After Giulio Ciccone (Lidl-Trek) flamed out, all eyes were on Pidcock and Almeida, who emerged as the only two with legs who could muster a chase.
Pidcock rode Almeida’s wheel much of the grinding climb that leveled out as it neared the summit, and the Portuguese rider finally had a few choice words for the wheel-sucking Brit.
Pidcock didn’t return any favors and kicked ahead to second and the time bonuses that came with it.
“I didn’t give him any turns and he was shouting at me,” Pidcock said as he shivered after the rain-soaked stage.
“He’s like a tractor when we got up to this flatter section,” he said. “The last ‘K’ when he went, it was impressive. I could only come around him at the finish. I am happy.”
Pidcock: ‘This gives me confidence for what’s to come’
Pidcock climbed into fourth overall. (Photo: Tim de Waele/Getty Images)
Pidcock’s second place rockets him up in the GC into fourth overall in the biggest confirmation yet that the two-time Olympic mountain bike gold medalist could challenge for the top-10 and more in this Vuelta.
“I felt really good. When Jonas went, it was so difficult to follow, especially when it’s four teammates between you and him,” Pidcock said. “I got up to Almeida and it was a good wheel, but we couldn’t get back.”
The British superstar came in with unproven GC credentials, but he’s quickly revealing he can stay with the best in the peloton.
“It’s really good for the GC,” he said. “It would have been nice to have won the stage, but Jonas is Jonas. We couldn’t close that gap, so I can be happy with that.”
Pidcock now heads into Monday’s rest day as one of the Vuelta’s revelations.
“I’m happy. It’s difficult to know fully what my capabilities are. It gives me confidence going into the hardest stages to come,” Pidcock said. “ It’s a long way to go. We’re not taking too many conclusions yet.”