Pidcock Defends Third at Vuelta a España Despite AngliruS Brutal Ascent
CABEZÓN DE LA SAL, Spain – Tom Pidcock of Q36.5 team successfully navigated the Vuelta a España’s punishing Angliru summit finish on Friday, limiting his losses and maintaining his third-place position in the General classification (GC). Despite the climb being widely considered too demanding for the Olympic mountain bike champion, Pidcock delivered a measured performance, finishing seventh on the stage 1:16 behind the winner.Pidcock entered the stage with a clear objective: to remain competitive in the GC race. He achieved this, losing only approximately one minute and 20 seconds to the stage leaders and remaining at 2:18 behind the race leader. “I think everyone slowed down. I think I only lost a minute and something like 20 or so, but I just tried to do my own pace,” Pidcock explained post-race. “You’re just fighting the whole way up. You don’t really get in the rhythm.”
The Angliru’s relentless gradient proved challenging for all riders, with Pidcock holding on until João Almeida accelerated with 6km remaining, followed only by Jonas Vingegaard.While he lost contact with the chasing group of Pellizzari, Riccitello, and Gall, Pidcock refused to falter, maintaining his power output and even regaining ground near the summit.”I didn’t loose too much time, but I would have liked to be at the front. I got to be realistic. I think I did a pretty good climb,” Pidcock stated. He now faces another challenging climb at La Farrapona on Saturday, fueled by a growing belief in his podium potential.
This Vuelta marks a important ride for Pidcock following his move from Ineos Grenadiers to Q36.5. His performance comes after a quieter Giro d’Italia in May, which team officials attributed to fatigue from a busy spring racing schedule. A subsequent break, including mountain bike competition, appears to have revitalized the young British rider.
The GC standings are tightening, with Jai Hindley (Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe) now just 42 seconds behind Pidcock in fourth place. Pidcock acknowledged the threat posed by Hindley and Gall, but emphasized his strong form throughout the race. “I’ve broken numerous power records this Vuelta. So yeah, of course it tells us something.”
