The largest story in professional biking over the winter was Tom Pidcock’s mid-contract transfer from Ineos Grenadiers to the smaller Team Q36.5, however his new teammate Damien Howson realized in regards to the information the identical method the remainder of the world did.
The 32-year-old welcomed the addition of the Olympic mountain bike champion, nonetheless.
Speaking to Cyclingnews earlier than the beginning of stage 3 of the Tour Down Under, the place he’s competing with the Australian National Team, Howson mentioned, “I got here again to Australia in early November – I’ve been coaching right here to prepare for this occasion – and unexpectedly I’m like everybody else, I see the information. It’s clearly thrilling occasions for the staff.”
Team Q36.5 weren’t among the many high ProfessionalTeams within the 2024 UCI World Rankings, so that they haven’t earned automated invites to any WorldTour races, however the presence of Pidcock, amongst others, has already helped to safe wildcard spots for La Flèche Wallonne and Liège-Bastogne-Liège, the place Pidcock was second to Remco Evenepoel in 2023.
Pidock is predicted to make his debut with the staff on January 28 on the AlUla Tour in Saudi Arabia. He may even be part of the staff within the Vuelta a Andalucia from February 19-23. None of the Grand Tours have introduced their wildcard alternatives, however Q36.5 are aiming to be invited to the Giro d’Italia and the Vuelta a España.
“When the staff shaped they had been bold to maintain shifting up the ranks and be in that high echelon of the game,” Howson mentioned. “We’ve had a number of modifications over time, however clearly the addition of Tom is a big change for the staff and the dynamics, and I’m excited to see what he can do.
“He’s not really gained an entire lot of races on the street, however what he does win is actually up there with the greats. You can solely think about if he gained Amstel Gold this yr for Team Q36.5, how massive that will be for the group. We can then use that as a stepping stone to proceed to maneuver ahead.
“I’m excited to see the way it all goes. Obviously, there will be occasions that I can proceed to be the chief of sure races however then there’s different occasions that Tom would be the the person and I’m more than pleased to make these ambitions of his come true.”
