“It’s probably the most amazing victory of my career,” said cycling multi-talent Pidcock, who managed to win the cyclocross world championship and the Olympic gold medal in the mountain bike race.
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He is riding the Tour de France for the first time in his career. Last year he got a taste of the Grand Tour at the Spanish Vuelta. But he did not achieve victory in the stage. On Thursday, however, he dazzled at the twelfth crease of the Old Lady.
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Thomas Pidcock after the triumph in the royal stage of this year’s Tour de France.Photo: Christian Hartmann, Reuters
After climbing the first legendary peak of the Col du Galibier, he decided to catch up with a group of refugees. “I was sure that no one would take any risks in the convention. Especially since I lost a lot of time yesterday. And I used my abilities,” reminded Pidcock that he has an exceptional technique. However, even during the descent from the Col de la Croix de Fer in the front group, the competitors flew at a speed of over one hundred and four kilometers per hour!
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He didn’t wait for anything in the final thirteen-kilometer climb consisting of twenty-one switchbacks, and ten kilometers before the finish line he set off alone to the top. He made his way through thousands of fans who traditionally flooded the road.
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“It was crazy. I didn’t hear anything on the radio. I’ll probably have some hearing damage,” Pidcock laughed at the finish. “But there were a few times I was afraid the fans would knock me off the bike,” the British stage winner admitted, adding that the cheering was sometimes over the top.
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Thomas Pidcock makes his way through the crowd of fans to Alpe d’Huez.Photo: Gonzalo Fuentes, Reuters
Anyway, the bold attack paid off and Pidcock became the youngest winner at the top of Alpe d’Huez. “Even if I do nothing at all this year, I will go home happy. It’s one of the most amazing things in my career. All the more so in the environment where my win was born. You won’t experience anything like it anywhere else,” Pidcock did not hide his enthusiasm.
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