Here’s a bold statement: Tom Pidcock’s approach to the UCI Gravel World Championships was anything but conventional—and it’s exactly what makes his story so fascinating. But here’s where it gets controversial: while most riders obsess over every detail months in advance, Pidcock rolled up to Maastricht with a bike he’d barely ridden, narrow tires, and a shrug about tire pressure. Was it reckless, or the mark of a champion who trusts his instincts? Let’s dive in.
The British cycling phenom arrived in Belgium less than 24 hours after finishing sixth at Il Lombardia, a grueling road race in Italy. With little time to prepare, Pidcock was candid about his uncertainty. While photographers snapped shots of his Pinarello Dogma GR, he admitted he hadn’t even tested the bike yet. For a rider known for his meticulousness—tweaking computer mounts and saddle angles in the pits—this was unusually laid-back. And this is the part most people miss: Pidcock’s pragmatism extended to his gravel setup, where he prioritized speed and simplicity over hours of testing.
His bike choice, however, was anything but casual. Despite racing on Scott bikes for road events, Pidcock’s contract allowed him to ride Pinarellos for gravel and mountain biking. His selection of the Dogma GR over the endurance-focused Dogma X or the road-race Dogma F hinted at his strategy. The Dogma GR is a race-ready gravel machine, blending aerodynamic design from the Dogma F with added compliance and clearance. Equipped with 35 mm tires—narrow by today’s gravel standards—Pidcock clearly expected a fast, firm course. While the Dogma X and F could technically handle similar tires, the GR’s geometry made it the sharper choice for navigating the course’s endless corners.
Here’s the kicker: Pidcock’s relaxed attitude didn’t come from overconfidence but from experience. A former Strade Bianche winner, he downplayed comparisons between the Italian classic and the Gravel Worlds, joking about the high number of Belgian competitors. With just 1,600 meters of climbing over 180 km—less than half of Strade Bianche—this race was about raw speed, not attrition. For Pidcock, the weekend was a study in extremes: one day climbing 4,000 meters in Lombardy, the next racing on gravel tires barely wider than his thumb in the Netherlands.
So, was Pidcock’s approach a gamble, or a masterclass in adaptability? His performance at Gravel Worlds certainly sparked debate. What do you think? Is meticulous preparation overrated, or is Pidcock’s success an exception to the rule? Let us know in the comments—this is one conversation you won’t want to miss.
