Tom Pidcock surprised to be in 'best shape of his life' with Q36.5 Pro Cycling after expecting 2025 to be 'a write-off'
Published 28/10/2025 at 17:29 GMT
Tom Pidcock has set his sights on a successful 2026 after completing his first year with Q36.5 Pro Cycling. The British star moved to Q36.5 from Ineos Grenadiers at the end of 2024 and has since established himself with his new team. While competing in South Africa, Pidcock said he was pleased that a season he expected to be "a write-off" actually turned out to be a success.
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Tom Pidcock believes he can go from strength-to-strength in 2026 after a surprisingly successful 12 months.
Pidcock said that he was expecting his cycling season to be "a write-off" due to upheaval surrounding his departure from Ineos Grenadiers at the end of 2024.
However, he responded in style, getting engaged to his long-term partner Bethany Zajac and excelling during his first season with his new team Q36.5 Pro Cycling.
And Pidcock thinks that he can be even better next year. Â
"I think I can be really happy with this year. We accepted it might be a bit of a write-off, a kind of transition to build for the future. But in the end, it went really well. I was in the best shape of my life," Pidcock told Cyclingnews.
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"I can only see myself growing even more this year and being even better next year. We'll also have more time and more knowledge, thanks to new people in the team and in my personal team."
Pidcock is currently competing at the seven-day Nedbank Gravel Burn stage race in South Africa.
His 2025 included winning the general classification at the AlUla Tour in Saudi Arabia, as well as finishing third in the Vuelta a Espana and coming runner-up in the Strade Bianche.
The Brit said that having the confidence and support of the people around him was a reason for the move to Q36.5.
"Confidence and the belief of everyone around me, that was an important thing," he said.
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"Then there was the knowledge and the professionalism, too, in terms of training and nutrition. It's the highest level that I've ever had. It was all a fresh start, so there was the mental excitement about the challenge that we faced.
"I feel really involved and part of the wider team, rather than just turning up to races and being a leader. That's something I also really enjoy.
"I think I show leadership on the bike but also off the bike, helping to grow the team and helping to make decisions.
"There are definitely things I can be better at, but I enjoy leadership. It's where I naturally want to be."
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