In late December, Q36.5 Pro Cycling accomplished their roster with a double dose of Pidcock firepower, including Joseph “Joey” Pidcock, youthful brother of Olympic champion Tom. The transfer from the Continental degree to the ProTour squad signalled a possibility for the 22-year-old to firmly transfer from a “sinister” well being problem and show himself as knowledgeable athlete.
In a revealing put up on social media Monday, Joey Pidcock shared his battle previous to being identified with ADHD, consideration deficit hyperactivity dysfunction, which has been linked to psychological in addition to bodily issues in youngsters and adults. He acknowledged that beginning on treatment was life-changing.
“November 2023 I began on ADHD meds quickly after a prognosis and it utterly modified my life. It was as if I abruptly stopped strolling by means of 3 toes deep water like I had all my life,” Pidcock wrote on his Instagram feed.
“It was like having to study all the pieces in life at 21. I’ve come a great distance however I believe it’s truthful to say I’ve nonetheless work to do.”
He disclosed that there was a major enchancment to his general well being as soon as the racing season commenced in February 2024, the place he received stage 4 at Dornan Rás Mumhan in Ireland, his first victory in additional than three years. Then a month later, he received the primary UCI race of his profession, taking a bunch dash victory on stage 5 at Ronde de l’Isard.
“It’s not just like the meds are magic, they couldn’t repair my concussion or treatment COVID that ruined the remainder of my yr, I nonetheless have to see a [psychologist – ed.] each week and I’m not saying I don’t should work for what I need,” Pidcock continued.
“But earlier than I all the time felt depressed and unmotivated. I had a tough time socialising, making and particularly conserving pals. And that’s not simply motivation for biking, it’s all the pieces. Like seeing pals, cooking dinner, texting my mum again, going to sleep, getting off the bed.”
“I believe the toughest a part of it was I used to be incapable of serving to myself. I didn’t even realise it wasn’t regular and I couldn’t have sorted any of this out with out assist.”
The younger Briton went on to encourage readers of his put up to hunt assist in the event that they or somebody they knew have been in a “comparable scenario”. He additionally disclosed that he might have Asperger’s syndrome, which like ADHD is a neurodevelopmental dysfunction, and each have comparable signs although they’re completely different situations.
“It’s very doable I’ve Aspergers and ADHD however I don’t suppose the label issues. I don’t need sympathy for any of this, I simply suppose the world thinks ADHD simply means you possibly can’t sit nonetheless at school however from my expertise, it’s much more sinister than that,” he stated.
“Basically I owe all the pieces to my household for getting me to the place I wanted to be. I’d be a bit fucked with out yous. Thanks mum.”
Now with new kits and gear deployed in early January and a possibility for the brothers to race collectively on the professional degree for the primary time, the motivation to achieve 2025 was excessive for Joey.
“Now with Q36.5 Pro Cycling I imagine I’ve discovered my new house. I’m actually grateful and excited for the years forward. I wouldn’t have accepted a spot right here if I didn’t suppose I used to be succesful. I’ll make sure that it’s price everybody’s time.”
He joined Groupama-FDJ’s growth staff in 2021 after which raced the final two seasons for Trinity Racing, which folded operations after 5 seasons as a growth staff on the finish of 2024. Joey signed by means of 2026 to trip for Q36.5, whereas his brother, two-and-a-half years older, sealed a contract with the Swiss ProCrew for 3 years.
