Cyclingnews noticed Tom Pidcock sit in silence for a number of minutes past the end of stage 9, because the ache of racing on gravel on the Tour de France and the ache of ending second left him in shock and disappointment.
The Ineos Grenadiers rider went on the assault with 150km to race and stayed out entrance, preventing for victory, gravel sector after gravel sector.
The chase teams, counterattacks and even Tadej Pogačar’s assaults typically got here near catching the breakaway, however they finally stayed away and even caught a late solo assault Jasper Stuyven (Lidl-Trek).
Canada’s Derek Gee (Israel-Premier Tech) led out the dash. Pidcock got here with pace from behind, however Anthony Turgis was even sooner and gave his TotalEneriges crew a particular Tour de France win.
Pidcock suffered in defeat after racing so exhausting.
“It was full fuel all day. It’s loopy how excessive the extent is on the Tour. I simply missed this chance,” Pidcock stated after his ache eased and he gathered his ideas.
“But I believe I might be happy with that. I’ve struggled within the first a part of this race. When it’s not going proper, it’s tough.”
Pidcock has already dropped out of the GC and Ineos Grenadiers need him to play a help position for Carlos Rodriguez and Egan Bernal. He was given an opportunity to go on the assault on the gravel stage and use his mountain bike expertise and energy to attempt to win the stage.
Racing in a Tour de France breakaway is at all times tough however Pidcock raced good proper till the ultimate metres and the dash for victory.
“It was exhausting. I weighed lower than 57kg this morning after which we averaged 280 watts for 4 and half hours. It’s lots,” Pidock stated of his efficiency.
“It’s at all times tough, however you’ve acquired to grasp that everybody within the group can be there to win, so it’s important to play a bit bit.
“When I’m in a bunch like, I by no means actually present how I’m actually feeling and I do not reply rapidly to assaults, in order that within the finale, I’ve acquired extra left.
“It was an excellent state of affairs. I knew that Styuven was going to be robust if he went. When he did go, I used to be on the entrance and so I hoped that the others would responde from behind.
“It was at all times going to be a difficult dash after driving so exhausting all day. You by no means know the way it will go. I used to be simply barely a bit late with the kick. Perhaps I would like extra race craft like Cav…”
