Tom Pidcock enters 'realm of his own in men's cycling' after cementing podium finish at La Vuelta - Matt Stephens
ByTNT UK
Published 13/09/2025 at 19:44 GMT+1
TNT Sports cycling expert Matt Stephens hailed the achievement of Tom Pidcock, claiming he is now in a "realm of his own in men's cycling" after cementing his grip on a maiden podium finish in a Grand Tour at the 2025 La Vuelta. An exhausted Pidcock labelled it the "biggest performance of his career" in the immediate aftermath of the race and admitted he is just looking forward to relaxing.
‘Biggest performance of my career’ - Pidcock reflects on holding onto podium spot
Video credit: TNT Sports
TNT Sports cycling expert Matt Stephens believes Tom Pidcock is in a "realm of his own in men's cycling" after all but cementing his maiden podium finish in a Grand Tour at the 2025 La Vuelta.
The Q36.5 Pro Cycling rider entered the brutal Stage 20 of the race from Robledo de Chavela to Bola del Mundo in a confident mood that he would defend his place, and produced another impressive display to consolidate his general classification position in third.
Jonas Vingegaard wrapped up his victory in style by winning a third stage, with 2023 Vuelta champion Sepp Kuss taking second to cap off a superb day for Visma-Lease a Bike, and Jai Hindley (Red Bull–Bora–Hansgrohe) in third.
Ahead of Almeida by 1'16'', only the formality of riding into Madrid remains for Vingegaard on Sunday, but it was the British rider who had left Hindley with too much to do, with him still trailing Pidcock by 30 seconds in fourth overall.
Reflecting on Pidcock's achievement, Stephens told The Breakaway: "He is now moving into the realm of one of the most complete riders on the planet.
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Highlights: Vingegaard takes Stage 20 to close in on La Vuelta glory
Video credit: TNT Sports
"Cross, mountain biking, road, Grand Tours, not just the Classics. There are very few riders when you think about it now, who have won the cross Worlds, the mountain bike Worlds, the mountain bike Olympics, and has 'podiumed' on a Grand Tour.
"Nobody. I can tell you that now. Nobody. That's where Tom Pidcock is right now. That's why he's emotional. Amazing stuff when you really think about it. I hope I'm not wrong. Apart from Pauline Ferrand-Prevot, but he is in a realm of his own in men's cycling."
- Stage 20 report: Vingegaard soars to victory with final climb attack
- Stage 20 as it happened: Vingegaard seals red jersey as Pidcock cements podium place
Pidcock: Happy not to need 'disgusting recovery shake'
When his achievement was put to him, an exhausted Pidcock said on TNT Sports: "I think I'm just more tired than anything, to be honest. This morning I was super up for today. We kind of had two easier days. Well, not easy, but short. Yesterday, it was relatively easy compared to the days we've been having.
"It was just kind of like a one-day race, which is what I'm good at."
When asked if at one stage it looked as though he was having a bit of trouble, Pidcock added: "I think it's just really hard to find a rhythm on such steep climbs and with that surface as well. But I knew I was still in control. I didn't want to go over my limit.
"All I had to do was stay within that and not blow. I don't really know what to say, to be honest. I'm pretty proud of myself.
"It's definitely the biggest performance of my career. Maybe not the biggest single win. I think some more have been more special, but I'm a bit exhausted, actually, to be honest.
"I can't really find any words. The best thing is that now I can just relax. Day after day, you're so focused and are focusing on everything and making sure you're switched on for the race every day.
"Now, I'm enjoying that I can just sit here and I don't need to put this bloody jacket on and drink cherry juice and have a disgusting recovery shake."
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Vingegaard powers away to take victory on Stage 20 to effectively seal La Vuelta glory
Video credit: TNT Sports
Pidcock now in an environment to succeed
Following Pidcock's interview, Stephens added: "That was really, really beautiful to see, and that we could all feel the emotion on Tom Pidcock's behalf. He's a rider who has achieved at the very highest level.
"He's one of the most decorated riders on the planet. One of the most versatile, but this was something completely different for him.
"A lot of the pressure has come externally where people have said 'Tom Pidcock needs to go for GC in the Grand Tours'. It's been happening for several years, and he's not coped, but finally he's in a place, in a team, in an environment where he can still be Tom Pidcock, but actually he's been given the freedom to race in the way that he wants to race without that external pressure.
"It looks like all the pressure has come [from] within, and every single day has been completely different for him. I was getting quite emotional because seeing him, he normally has something to say, doesn't he? But clearly, for him to say that that's his biggest ride of his career. At the moment he said it, his voice cracked, so it just shows you how much this means to him."
Pidcock's result goes further than cycling
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‘It really affected me’ - Vingegaard overcomes illness to win Stage 20 of La Vuelta
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Fellow Breakaway pundit Adam Blythe said: "When you look at Tom's palmares, it is solid. It's one of the best in the world, as we've said. But I think everyone's criticism of Tom was for how much money he's always been paid for his results that he's delivered compared to other riders.
"But Tom's results go further than cycling. It's the big race like the Olympics, World Championships. When he goes big, he goes big.
"This is a stepping stone in not just his cycling career, but within this world. It's huge for him, and I think he's learnt a lot.
"He did the Giro this year, learnt for this race - and everyone at the Giro was almost criticising him, going, 'what's he doing? Why didn't he go for stages?' I was one of the biggest ones to do it.
"But even through that, he doesn't know he's going to ride it. You think anyone would just, with Tom's calibre, say, right, he can win three or four stages, let's go for that.
"Every day, he was just on this learning period for this, and it's worked for him. I'm super chuffed for him.
"I want to know what his plan is after this now.
"He's 26, he's three years younger than Jonas. He's not got it all in front of him, but he's got a lot of his career still in front of him, and this opens a completely different door. He can now pick and choose... importantly, he knows that he can do it.
"There are obviously areas to improve. He was at the very, very limit today, and that in itself is an unusual place to put yourself. He treated it as a one day, but it's a one day at the back end of three weeks. It's just so much to celebrate. I'm so happy for him and for the team."
Watch and stream the 2025 La Vuelta live on TNT Sports and discovery+
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