During the busy Christmas and New Year period, he was once again a significant absentee: Tom Pidcock. The British all-rounder is not seen in cyclocross this season either, but that does not mean the Pinarello-Q36.5 rider has said goodbye to cyclocross for good.
His coach Kurt Bogaerts leaves the door slightly open for a cyclocross comeback in an interview with Sporza. "It's definitely possible that Tom will be seen in cyclocross again next season. Last season, Tom rode two Grand Tours (the Giro d'Italia and Vuelta a España, ed.) and competed up until the Tour of Lombardy. Add to that all his mountain bike races, and you get over 80 race days."
Bogaerts therefore does not rule out that the former world champion will be seen in several cyclocross races next season, but sets one condition for his potential return to cyclocross. "If Tom were to start racing cyclocross again, he wants to be competitive right away and fight for the top spots," emphasizes the Belgian.
Obstacle
However, Pidcock’s personal coach sees a possible stumbling block. "Because Tom hasn't raced cyclocross this past winter, he would have to start from the very back in his first cyclocross races. Starting an uphill battle from behind isn’t ideal."
Still, Bogaerts sees opportunities for his protégé in the World Cup races. "If he maintains his good road ranking (Pidcock is currently in the top 10, ed.), Tom would be allowed to start in the fifth row at the World Cup cyclocross races. That opens up prospects."
