Tom Pidcock will (barring accidents) finish third in the Vuelta a España. The Brit successfully defended his podium spot on the Bola del Mundo against Jai Hindley. Although it took quite an effort.
"I'm mainly just very tired," Pidcock said afterwards on Eurosport. "But this morning I felt completely ready. We've had two easier days behind us. The time trial wasn’t easy of course, but it was short. And yesterday was relatively easy. Today was like a one-day race, and that’s what I’m good at."
Pidcock seemed to struggle briefly when Hindley attacked. "It’s very hard to find your rhythm on such steep climbs," he explains. "The road surface was bad too. But I still felt in control. I rode at my limit but stayed there and didn’t burn myself out."
First grand tour podium
This is the first time Pidcock has reached the final podium of a grand tour. "I actually don’t know what to say. I’m pretty proud of myself. It’s the biggest achievement in my career. Maybe I have more special victories, but... I’m exhausted, honestly. I can’t find the words."
"Will I celebrate tonight? I just want to relax first. You have to focus every day, be switched on every day. Now I can just enjoy this and don’t have to immediately put on this jacket, drink cherry juice, and take that horrible recovery drink."
Vuelta a España| Rank | Rider | Time |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 03:56:23 | |
| 2 | + 11 | |
| 3 | + 13 | |
| 4 | + 18 | |
| 5 | + 22 | |
| 6 | + 24 | |
| 7 | + 47 | |
| 8 | + 01:11 | |
| 9 | + 01:22 | |
| 10 | + 01:30 |
