Tom Pidcock launched a late assault to win the Milano-Torino race on the one hundred and fiftieth anniversary of the primary version of the world’s oldest traditional.
The Pinarello-Q36.5 rider was making his debut within the Italian one-day race and went clear throughout the closing 600m to win its 106th version.
The 26-year-old double Olympic mountain biking champion grew to become the second Briton to clinch victory within the 174km (108-mile) race, after Mark Cavendish in 2022.
Pidcock was a part of a lead group of 12 riders on the ultimate Superga climb, which whittled the contenders down to 5.
He attacked with 600m remaining, with Tobias Halland Johannessen in pursuit, however Pidcock kicked once more with 400m left to cruise to the summit end 4 seconds earlier than the Norwegian, with 2021 winner Primoz Roglic crossing a second later.
“Primoz is tough to learn, he is all the time within the saddle,” stated Pidcock. “I used to be anticipating him to be good there and was hesitating to assault, everybody was trying fairly robust.
“However I knew at one level I needed to go. Fortunately in the long run I had a kick there and I may maintain them off.
“A win’s a win, they are not simple to come back by, so it is good to get your hand within the air.”
It was Pidcock’s first win in a one-day race for the reason that Amstel Gold Race in 2024 and his second victory of the season – having claimed a stage of the Vuelta a Andalucia final month.
Wednesday’s win additionally retains the Briton in good kind heading into one other Italian traditional on Saturday, the Milan-San Remo.
