Tom Pidcock makes shock Paris-Roubaix debut – 'I can't remember the last time I was this excited'

On the eve of Paris-Roubaix, Ineos Grenadiers shocked the cycling world by announcing that Tom Pidcock would be making his debut in the elite race, five years after winning the under-23 edition and, crucially, less than a week after crashing out of Itzulia Basque Country.

It has been a whirlwind past six days for Pidcock, who had hopes of challenging Jonas Vingegaard (Visma-Lease a Bike) for the general classification in the Basque Country, only to be ruled out due to a crash during his stage 1 time trial recon. The Brit revealed, however, that the decision to race Paris-Roubaix was taken almost immediately.

“Tuesday,” he answered, as to when the plans were made.

“I’m fine to be honest. Okay, there’s a bit of bruising on my hip still but as soon as I knew it wasn’t serious, I was like ‘right, game on!’ I started training again and I was like, ‘I wanna go and ride Roubaix.”

• Read more: Tom Pidcock crashes out of Itzulia Basque Country during TT recon

The youngster’s excitement was palpable as he flashed a smile at GCN and a small group of reporters gathered in the pre-race mixed zone. It is a race that Pidcock knows well, having won both the Junior and U23 versions of Paris-Roubaix, and the 24-year-old believes those experiences will play into his hands on debut.

"Considering I haven't done a recon and haven't ridden these roads in five years, for sure that's going to help. I'm just looking forward to getting stuck in, and getting into the last part of the race," he said.

"I want to get past this first part of the chaos – anyone can be a victim there, with mechanicals, crashes, anything. You have to beat the course before you try and win the race."

Debutants aren't usually tipped to win Paris-Roubaix. Common wisdom says the race that must be learned before it can be conquered, but in Pidcock, Ineos Grenadiers have one of the brightest young talents on the planet.

• Read more: 10 riders to watch at the men's Paris-Roubaix

© Getty Images

Tom Pidcock, second from left, on the pre-race podium at Paris-Roubaix

For Pidcock, there are no expectations for the race, but what is realistic for the former Strade Bianche winner?

"Anything, honestly," he replied. "It's a last-minute thing, I'm here to enjoy it and when I enjoy it I get the most out of myself."

As for his thoughts on the pre-race favourite, his old cyclo-cross rival, Pidcock said: "I'm not really here to tell you how to beat Van der Poel. It's not just Van der Poel, he might puncture, or crash and he might be out of the race in the first 100km."

The road will ultimately decide if Pidcock's late entrance proves a success, but for Ineos Grenadiers, the 24-year-old's debut has already lifted the mood of the team bus ahead of the race. When the flag dropped on the race earlier this morning, they knew they counted another potential winner among their mix.

"It's really good terrain for him, he can ride on these cobbles, and I'm pretty confident he can follow the best guys," sports director Ian Stannard told GCN and a small group of reporters at the team bus.

"He's absolutely buzzing about riding the race, and he's lifted another element to the team, the guys are all buzzing as well, so it's great to have him here."

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