Cyclocross might be off the menu this winter, but Pidcock wants everything else he can get: ‘Tom wants to compete and win whenever he starts.’
Updated October 9, 2025 08:58AM
If any rider could be a favorite for a back-to-back road monument and gravel world championships, it’s Tom Pidcock.
And that’s exactly the scenario this weekend.
The all-terrain topper is taking on a wild’n’weird Il Lombardia–UCI gravel worlds double in the quest to stretch a standout summer a few days further.
Speaking to Sporza, Pidcock’s long-time trainer and now Q36.5 Pro Cycling staffer Kurt Bogaerts said Pidcock wants it all.
And while he won’t get it straight away, this weekend is a start point.
“Tom’s third-place finish in the Vuelta a España has given him even more confidence for the grand tours. He also wants to continue scoring in the classics at the same time,” Bogaerts said Thursday.
“He aims to have the broadest possible list of achievements at the end of his career.”
Bogaerts conceded Pidcock’s chances are limited Saturday in his first run at Il Lombardia. But if Pidcock wants to win it all, he’s got to start somewhere.
He was scheduled to ride “The Race of the Falling Leaves” last year but became a DNS amid boiling tension with former team Ineos Grenadiers.
“Due to circumstances, Tom was unable to participate last year,” Bogerts said. “But it’s important for Tom to ride Lombardy for the first time.
“It’s a race that should suit him well in the future.”
Pidcock’s future ambitions blew beyond their already enormous proportions this summer when he finished third at the Vuelta a España. He found his best road legs yet and discovered that, after a few misfires, he could be a grand tour racer, after all.
But this is Pidcock.
“Only” grand tour racing would be boring.
That’s why he will join Remco Evenepoel and Isaac del Toro in attempting the unthinkable Saturday at Il Lombardia – stopping Tadej Pogačar from winning a fifth straight time.
“It’s my first time racing Il Lombardia, so it’s a new experience for me,” Pidcock said. “I haven’t done many of these late-season races before, but I’ve really enjoyed them this year, even if I’m feeling a bit of fatigue from a long season.
“It’s obviously a very demanding race with lots of climbing, so it’s going to be an attritional day.”
For Pidcock, Saturday will be a learning opportunity … with a bonus chance at a monument podium.
Rainbow jersey no.3 at the UCI gravel worlds?
Pidcock should be a favorite for the UCI gravel worlds – unless he’s cooked from Lombardia. (Photo: Fabio Ferrari – Pool/Getty Images )
A race that Pidcock could more likely win on debut?
The UCI Gravel World Championships.
But the 26-year-old’s renewed commitment to developing as a roadie imperils his chance at winning a world title Sunday.
Racing Pogi, Remco, and El Torito for six hours in the hills of Lombardy isn’t ideal the day before a 180km gravel championship. A late-evening flight from northern Italy to the Dutch Limburg isn’t so great, either.
“With Lombardy in the legs, you can’t be the top favorite for gravel worlds the next day,” Bogaerts admitted.
Still, fatigue shouldn’t be enough for anybody to rule Pidcock out of Sunday’s UCI worlds.
The big beasts of U.S. gravel are staying home. The startlist looks like a rogue pick ‘n’ mix from all disciplines.
Pidcock’s off-road panache alone could be enough to land him into rainbows in a third off-road discipline [he already has CX and MTB titles – ed].
“Gravel worlds is something I’m really looking forward to,” Pidcock said.
“My main focus is of course on Il Lombardia, but I’ll stay sharp for an extra day,” he warned. “I’m looking forward to doing well in the gravel race.”
Cyclocross sacrificed for spring classics
Picock hasn’t raced ‘cross since January 2024. (Photo: Getty Images)
Make the most of off-road Pidcock on Sunday.
Coach Bogaerts told Sporza he’s not likely to indulge much of his first-love, cyclocross, for the second winter in a row. Classics are becoming an increased priority for Pidcock now that he leads “Project Q.”
“There is very little chance that Tom will race this winter, but it cannot be ruled out,” Bogaerts said.
“We just have to make sure Tom has enough rest and build-up periods. Tom wants to compete and win wherever he starts, and good preparation is crucial for that.”
Pidcock’s multi-discipline rivals Mathieu van der Poel and Wout van Aert have both suggested they will return to the mud this winter for limited CX schedules.
Here’s hoping the prospect of a clash with the two OG “kings of cyclocross” will tempt the ever-hungry Pidcock out of his off-season.