KIGALI, RWANDA - SEPTEMBER 28: Thomas Pidcock and Team Great Britain competes during the 98th UCI Cycling World Championships Kigali 2025, Men Elite Road Race a 267.5km race from Kigali to Kigali on September 28, 2025 in Kigali, Rwanda. (Photo by Zac Williams - Pool/Getty Images)
Great Britain’s Tom Pidcock finished 10th in the men’s road race at the World Championships held in Kigali, Rwanda, on Sunday. This result followed his podium finish at the recent Vuelta a España, where he achieved his best Grand Tour result to date. Pidcock’s performance in Kigali was marked by fluctuating sensations throughout the challenging 268-kilometre course, which he described as “the most unenjoyable race of the year.”
In the lead-up to the race, Pidcock noted he had not specifically targeted the World Championships but still aimed to perform well. He expressed a sense of ambivalence regarding his finish, telling Cyclingnews that his feelings were “alright,” indicating a lack of disappointment despite not achieving a podium finish.
The race presented significant challenges, with only 30 of the original competitors crossing the finish line. Pidcock voiced his frustrations about the difficulty of the course, stating, “It was so hard.” He experienced a rocky start, struggling initially before finding his rhythm. Unfortunately, the toll of the race—combined with the high altitude and demanding elevation gains—eventually led to fatigue. “To be honest, I didn’t feel so good in the start,” he reflected. “And then I was coming round and into the race, and then I just completely blew. It was survival to the finish.”
Pidcock managed to re-enter the race at a critical moment when the chase group behind the leader, Tadej Pogačar of Slovenia, shrank. At one point, he was within 50 seconds of the leader, creating a sense of hope. “At that point I thought, ‘you know, anything is possible now,’ but then the legs fell off,” he explained.
Despite his competitive nature and previous successes, Pidcock did not exhibit disappointment over his placement. He had already achieved significant goals earlier in the season, and his participation in Kigali was viewed more as a bonus. “I didn’t put any pressure on it,” he stated. “I was thinking about the Vuelta, and I came here in the best way I could. I was in the race; I can’t complain.”
The British cyclist took comfort in his recovery from the Vuelta, where he expended considerable effort. “I certainly came out of the Vuelta in the best shape I’ve ever come out of a Grand Tour, so it didn’t take me long to recover,” he added. Pidcock felt that he was in a strong position compared to other riders who also participated in the Vuelta.
While not securing a medal at the World Championships, Pidcock’s experience highlights the physical demands of elite cycling and the unpredictable nature of such grueling races. As he continues to build on his successful year, the focus now shifts to future competitions and opportunities for redemption.
For comprehensive coverage of the World Championships, including in-depth analysis and major storylines, Cyclingnews offers extensive reporting from Rwanda, capturing the excitement as riders compete for the coveted rainbow jerseys.
