Tom Pidcock delivers on da promise with Strade Bianche

Brit shows grit on Tuscan gravel with 50km solo effort into Siena, reports Tom Thewlis 

- Tom Thewlis

Expectation has followed Tom Pidcock throughout his nascent cycling career, on road and off. The 23-year-old is not just thought to be the next big thing of British cycling, but the big thing now.

The Ineos Grenadiers rider has already had moments of greatness – becoming cyclo-cross world champion, winning on Alpe d’Huez at the Tour de France last year – but delivering on the expectation of victory at Strade Bianche last Saturday truly signalled his arrival.

Ahead of Omloop Het Nieuwsblad a week and a half ago, Pidcock admitted that he hadn’t “massively” won on the road yet. At the time, his record stood at three wins, although one of those was a stage of the Tour de France.