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Forward of the 2023-24 cyclocross season debut in Herentals later this afternoon, Tom Pidcock has acknowledged that he’ll “absolutely focus” on the final classification on the Tour de France subsequent summer season.
The Briton is ready to race a restricted cyclocross marketing campaign this winter, taking in 10 races from the X2O Trofee occasion in Herentals to the UCI World Cup in Benidorm in late January. Like Wout van Aert, he’ll lower his season quick so as to flip focus to the street season, with the Volta ao Algarve his possible place to begin.
Talking to Sporza earlier than reconning the circuit in Herentals, Pidcock stated that he needs to “show himself” on the Tour de France, having received atop L’Alpe d’Huez and brought Sixteenth- and Thirteenth-place finishes at his two earlier participations.
“I need to show myself within the Tour de France,” Pidcock stated earlier than heading out to recon the course of the season’s third X2O Trofee spherical. “Final 12 months I did not know what I needed and with the group, I did not have the clear aim of why I used to be there. I paid the worth for that and I got here away with nothing.
“This 12 months I will absolutely give attention to the final classification. Then hopefully I come away from the Tour very nicely for the Olympics.”
Pidcock, who in 2023 received Strade Bianche and the penultimate stage of the Volta ao Algarve in addition to the mountain bike cross-country world title, stated that he hasn’t set an actual GC aim for the Tour but. He famous that will develop into clearer after beginning his stage racing marketing campaign.
“For me, high 10 is not actually a motivation,” he stated. “My aim will develop into clearer after a couple of stage races earlier within the 12 months. I imagine in myself greater than I did final 12 months for a superb consequence, however I’ll wait to reply particularly later.”
Pidcock additionally confirmed that he will not prolong his cyclocross season into February to tackle the UCI World Championships in Tabor.
The 2022 world champion will be a part of Wout van Aert in avoiding the occasion, although Mathieu van der Poel – additionally beginning his season on Saturday – will probably be taking purpose at an eighth world title and racing a fuller marketing campaign within the build-up, too.
“It is going to be an extended summer season with the Tour de France and the Olympics. It is going to be tough to race so late within the 12 months with the cyclocross World Championships,” Pidcock stated.
“If I am going to the World Championships, I’ve to arrange 100% – for the respect for the occasion. I do not need to undergo that, mentally it is tough.
“Wout misplaced final 12 months and stated that was tough for him throughout the street season. So, I need to benefit from the Christmas interval and put together for the street season.”
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