Pidcock Wins Milan-Torino, Primed for Milan-San Remo | VeloNews
Tom Pidcock is hitting peak form at precisely the right moment. The British rider powered to victory at Milan-Torino on Wednesday, delivering a blistering attack on the Superga climb and signaling his readiness for the upcoming Milan-San Remo classic.
Pidcock, riding for Pinarello-Q36.5, launched his decisive move with 600 meters remaining of the grueling ascent, leaving a select group of contenders struggling in his wake. Tobias Halland Johannessen (Uno-X Mobility) finished second, four seconds behind, while Primož Roglič (Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe), the 2022 champion, rounded out the podium in third, five seconds back.
“It was a weird day,” Pidcock said after the race. “It felt almost like the first race of the season. I felt the accelerations in the legs all day. I hesitated to attack but eventually I did and the timing was right.” He added, “A win is a win. No win is easy to reach by so it’s nice to acquire this one.”
The victory marks Pidcock’s second of the 2026 season and provides a significant confidence boost as he sets his sights on Milan-San Remo, a race notorious for its unpredictable nature and demanding course. The win was made all the more special by the presence of cycling legend Mark Cavendish, who presented Pidcock with the winner’s flowers.
Pinarello-Q36.5 demonstrated a tactical maturity beyond their second-tier status, effectively positioning Pidcock throughout the race and controlling the pace during the crucial double ascent of the Superga. The team’s performance underscores their ambition for a strong showing in the Tour de France later this year, with Pidcock identified as a key rider for the general classification.
But, the challenge at Milan-San Remo will be significantly greater. The race is expected to feature a star-studded field, including the formidable Mathieu van der Poel and Tadej Pogačar, both of whom represent a different level of competition than those faced at Milan-Torino.
Pidcock acknowledged the increased difficulty, stating, “Milan-San Remo is very different, it’s very explosive.” Despite the looming challenge, he remains optimistic, emphasizing the importance of form and positioning. “This shows I’m in good shape, but that doesn’t mean everything. Last year I was in really good shape [for San Remo], but then I was in the worst position on the Cipressa,” he recalled, referencing a previous missed opportunity. “We’ll do our best.”
The Milan-Torino race itself proved to be a compelling contest, with a relentless pace set by Roglič that whittled down the peloton. The Slovenian’s aggressive riding forced a selection of strong climbers, setting the stage for Pidcock’s decisive attack. The Superga climb, with its steep gradients and challenging terrain, ultimately proved to be the decisive factor, rewarding Pidcock’s power and tactical acumen.
Pidcock’s victory is not merely a triumph in a single race; it’s a statement of intent. He has demonstrated the form and tactical awareness necessary to compete with the best in the world, and his performance at Milan-Torino suggests he is a serious contender for success at Milan-San Remo and beyond. The Pinarello-Q36.5 team, meanwhile, has proven its ability to support its leader and execute a winning strategy, positioning themselves as a team to watch in the upcoming Grand Tours.
Milan-Torino results: