In July 2022, Tom Pidcock stunned the cycling world with his fearless descent of the Col du Galibier, reaching speeds of 100 km/h and leaving his rivals trailing. Hours later, he celebrated victory atop Alpe d’Huez, securing a thrilling stage win in his debut Tour de France and marking himself as a future contender for the yellow jersey.
However, things changed rapidly. Two years later, Pidcock’s enthusiasm for the Tour had waned, describing it as “boring” and “crap.” His relationship with Ineos Grenadiers had deteriorated, and despite successfully defending his Olympic mountain biking title in Paris, he admitted feeling mentally exhausted. His departure from Ineos, after four seasons, ended on a sour note when he was dropped just before the 2024 Il Lombardia race.
Pidcock had once idolized Ineos, calling it his “dream team,” but tensions grew, particularly after his portrayal in a Netflix documentary, where he felt unfairly cast as the villain. His ambitions in both mountain biking and road racing increasingly clashed with the team’s priorities, and by late 2023, a split seemed inevitable.
Now, Pidcock is revitalized with his new team, Switzerland-based Q36.5, a level below the World Tour. He feels “unleashed,” finding fresh motivation and energy. The move has already paid off he secured his first major stage race victory at the AlUla Tour, followed by another win at the Vuelta a Andalucía.
Pidcock acknowledges that his three-year deal with Q36.5 offers him more independence and aligns better with his goals. He turned down offers from top-tier teams, including the powerhouse UAE Emirates, in favor of an environment where he could lead and race on his own terms.
Despite rumors that his new contract places him among the highest-paid riders in the sport, one notable consequence is missing the Tour de France this year—a decision he welcomes after two frustrating seasons. He believes the race demands constant media scrutiny, and without strong performances, a rider can become an afterthought.
Adding to his fresh start, his younger brother Joey has joined Q36.5. Joey recently opened up about his ADHD diagnosis, describing it as a life-changing revelation. Tom found his brother’s honesty deeply moving and hopes the new team will provide stability for him to excel.
Though Tom Pidcock hasn’t been tested for ADHD, he suspects he might have it but doesn’t feel it impacts his performance. Now, with a new team and renewed focus, he’s ready to redefine his career on his own terms.
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