Tom Pidcock relegated at Volta ao Algarve for 'irregular sprint', Ineos Grenadiers rider also fined
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ByEurosport
Updated 16/02/2023 at 12:30 GMT
Tom Pidcock has been relegated at the Volta ao Algarve for an “irregular sprint”. The Ineos Grenadiers rider took a surprise fifth-place finish in a bunch sprint on Stage 1 that was won by Alexander Kristoff (Uno-X Pro Cycling Team). However, the race jury relegated the Brit to 135th for an “irregular sprint”. Stream top cycling live and on-demand on discovery+.
Highlights: Kristoff powers to Stage 1 at Volta ao Algarve
Tom Pidcock finished fifth on Stage 1 of the Volta ao Algarve but was later relegated for an “irregular sprint”.
The Ineos Grenadiers rider was a surprise participant of a bunch sprint after a 200.2km stage from Portimao to Lagos.
Pidcock finished fifth on a stage that was won by Alexander Kristoff (Uno-X Pro Cycling Team), but was later relegated for an “irregular sprint” that entailed him "pushing another rider", the race jury said according to Cycling News. The 23-year-old was relegated to last place in the group he crossed the line with – so 135th – and was also fined CHF 200.
Stage 2 sees the peloton tackle a 186.3km ride from Sagres to Alto da Foia with Pidcock still in contention for the overall title, given his finish time was not been affected by his relegation.
Pidcock is renowned for his versatility having won an Olympic title in mountain biking, become a cyclo-cross world champion, and won a Tour de France stage on the famous Alpe d’Huez - and 2023 promises to be another big year for the Briton.
After Algarve, he is slated to contest Omloop Het Nieuwsblad as well as Strade Bianche, Milan-San Remo, Dwars door Vlaanderen and the Tour of Flanders.
And in a recent exclusive with Eurosport, former world champion Philippe Gilbert said he expects Pidcock to have a long career in cycling which will “surprise” many people.
“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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