Philippe Gilbert says Tom Pidcock 'will surprise us' and discusses Geraint Thomas' future in cycling
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Updated 07/02/2023 at 11:39 GMT
In an exclusive interview with Eurosport, Philippe Gilbert discussed what we should expect from Ineos Grenadiers duo Tom Pidcock and Geraint Thomas over the next few years. Pidcock has had an incredible rise over the last two years and is among a highly talented group of riders alongside Wout van Aert and Mathieu van der Poel, whilst Thomas is nearing the end of his career.
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Former world champion Philippe Gilbert expects Tom Pidcock to have a long career in cycling which will “surprise” many people.
Pidcock’s versatility has seen him win an Olympic title in mountain biking, become a cyclo-cross world champion, and win a Tour de France stage on the famous Alpe d’Huez.
The 23-year-old has been tipped to challenge for the overall Tour de France title in the future, although he thinks it may require sacrificing the spring classics.
“He [Pidcock] is much more complete than me,” Gilbert told Eurosport. “I wouldn't dare compare him to me. I think he is more complete, better.
“I like the man, I know a little bit about his parents, his entourage. I can say that he is a good person so I think he will have a long career. He's not going to make a few sparks and leave. He's in it for the long haul and will surprise us.
“I was surprised to see him win at the Alpe d’Huez. We will never know if he won Amstel-Gold [in 2021] with this photo finish [versus Wout van Aert] but he is a rider who sprinted for the victory in the Ardennes, he won in mountain bike, in cyclo-cross and then to win at the Alpe d’Huez like that, it was impressive.
“Considering his physique today, he must be aiming for Liege-Bastogne-Liege. I think he has to do things like I did, first the Ardennes and Lombardy and then with his style, Flanders and Roubaix.”
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Incredible scenes as Pidcock rides through fans on the Alpe d'Huez at Tour de France
Whilst Pidcock is still in the early part of his career, his Ineos Grenadiers team-mate Geraint Thomas is in his final years as a professional cyclist.
Thomas’ big target for 2023 is the Giro d’Italia from May 6-28, which is live on Eurosport and discovery+.
He has had a disappointing run at the opening Grand Tour of the year after crashing out in his last two appearances in 2017 and 2020.
Gilbert says he is always concerned about Thomas getting caught up in an incident and suggested he is past his peak despite a third-place finish at the 2022 Tour de France.
“His problem is that he falls very often and the Giro is very tricky,” added Gilbert. “The Italian roads turn in all directions, it can rain a lot, it slides.
“I am always afraid that he will lose everything in a crash, I don't wish it on him of course.
“Compared to his level in the Tour [de France], there is a big difference between finishing third like he did [in 2022] and dominating a Grand Tour to win it.
“When he won the Tour [in 2018], he was on top but since then he has never been able to find his best level. He was not far from his level last year but I am not sure we will see the Geraint Thomas who won the Tour again.”
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