'No regrets' - Tom Pidcock proud of attacking display in World Championship road race
Tom Pidcock says he has no regrets after his aggressive performance in the UCI Road Championship men’s road race came up a few seconds short.
The 27-year-old from Leeds finished seventh, 14 seconds behind American Brandon McNulty who held onto the break he launched 32km from home to land the rainbow jersey in Montreal.
There were few riders who animated the gruelling 273.7km race as much as Pidcock, who needed a bike change during the race, was caught behind a big crash and then had to bridge the gap back to the lead chase group.
From there he repeatedly launched attacks to try and reel in McNulty.
“The crash definitely didn’t help. There was a bit of a chase but, no, tactically it was very difficult in the end,” Pidcock - who was co-leader of the Great Britain team - told Pinarello Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team.
“I think I had really good legs, honestly. But to make the difference, to get the gap, with the wind the way it was and with the USA team, with Matteo Jorgenson — he was strong once Brandon attacked — it was always going to be super difficult to make a difference after six hours.
“So yeah, I’m a bit disappointed, honestly. But again, I think I’ve been really happy with my legs and there are more years to try.”
Asked whether he had any regrets after repeatedly trying to break the tactical deadlock in the finale, Pidcock - who is a world champion in cyclo-cross and mountain biking - was clear: “There isn’t much more I could have done, I think.
“It was really difficult. No one wanted to work together in that group and, yeah, to wait and just gamble it all on the last lap or to try something… I think it was difficult.
“I don’t think I have any regrets. I did what I could.”