Tom Pidcock headed into the ultimate Classic of the spring at Liège-Bastogne-Liège as one of many prime favourites for glory on Sunday. However, whereas Tadej Pogačar was in a position to surge away on the Col de La Redoute and solo dwelling for a second victory at La Doyenne, the Briton was left ruing his unhealthy luck which noticed him use very important power and power in a key second of the race.
He ultimately completed tenth within the group that sprinted for third and was introduced dwelling by Mathieu van der Poel. Teammate Egan Bernal was in the identical group after avoiding any issues and simply failing to affix Romain Bardet and the battle for second place on the ultimate climb.
Pidcock, who final week gained Amstel Gold Race to begin Ardennes week with a bang, was caught up in a crash within the peloton with just below 100km to race. He was within the chase group and determined to assault and go deep to go throughout a 40-second hole to the lead group, just for the race to comeback collectively from behind.
He mirrored later that the incident had struck “on the worst attainable second” because the tempo was growing on the head of the race, additionally noting that different riders managed to get again because of helps from the group automobile convoy, whereas he and a choose few others needed to trip on the uncovered roads, usually right into a headwind.
“That was the worst attainable second,” he stated of the crash post-race.
“I needed to make an enormous effort there. I heard that others had been in a position to get again on behind the automobiles. That’s irritating.
“I went very deep there, utilizing up my very own legs. That was a disgrace as a result of – I did not say a lot about it earlier than the race, however I broke every kind of data throughout coaching this week. I used to be going rather well.”
Once the race hit Liège after six hours of racing, Pidcock got here dwelling within the chase group simply over two minutes down on Pogačar and 23 seconds behind second-placed Romain Bardet.
The dash was on for the ultimate podium spot however Pidcock was boxed in and settled for tenth place, whereas teammate Egan Bernal additionally completed among the many chasers in twenty first.
Bernal impressed by being a part of the entrance group that Pidcock was compelled to chase.
“It’s so good to see him racing like this once more. He’s needed to undergo greater than I can think about,” Pidcock stated of his Ineos Grenadiers teammate.
“It was very good that he was there. Who is aware of what might need been attainable if it had gone easily. We may have had two playing cards to play.”
Bernal as soon as once more confirmed indicators of being again close to his greatest stage following a podium place on the Volta a Catalunya final month.
The 27-year-old Colombian will now trip the Tour de Romandie, which kicks off on Tuesday, the place he is aiming for one more excessive putting, which may safe him choice for the Tour de France.
“I feel that the crash modified our race a bit. Tom will need to have waited and altered bikes. We tried our greatest, however we’ll strive once more subsequent 12 months. I am unable to wait to return again,” Bernal stated, in accordance with TuttoBiciWeb.
“I really feel good, my coaching numbers are actually good. I’ve been coaching extra. Last season I wasn’t in a position to do correct coaching due to my crash and all of the restoration stuff.
“This 12 months I’ve been in a position to do regular coaching and I’m feeling actually good, so lets see how the season goes.
“If we have a look at my numbers, I feel I’m even higher than earlier than my crash, it is simply that different individuals are additionally higher. That’s how it’s. We have to enhance each season to be with one of the best. I simply must maintain doing what i am doing.”
“Now I’ve acquired Romandie then preparation for the Critérium du Dauphiné and hopefully I may go to the Tour de France.”
