When the 2025 season kicked off, there were certain riders whose names immediately rose to the top of the discussion. Tom Pidcock, the British powerhouse riding for Q36.5 Pro Cycling, has been a revelation, and his explosive start to the season has caught the attention of cycling enthusiasts worldwide. With impressive victories already under his belt, including two stage wins and the overall title at the AlUla Tour, as well as another triumph in the Ruta del Sol, Pidcock is unmistakably one of the riders to watch in 2025.

But while his early-season performance has been a testament to his strength and determination, it is Pidcock’s experience at the Tour de France that has captured the imagination of the cycling community. Reflecting on his battle against some of the sport’s biggest names, Pidcock shared a compelling insight into his time racing alongside Mathieu van der Poel, one of the greatest riders of the current era.

In an interview after his victory at the AlUla Tour, Pidcock opened up about his interactions with van der Poel during the Tour de France, revealing that it wasn’t just the tactics or the strategies that mattered during the race—it was also the mental battle that unfolded between the riders. “I could just see from his body language that he felt the same as I did,” Pidcock explained, making it clear that the shared experience of battling for the top positions was not just a physical fight, but also an emotional and mental one.

Pidcock’s observation about van der Poel’s body language during the race reflects the high stakes of the Tour, where every moment of weakness is seized upon, and every glance exchanged between rivals holds meaning. For a rider like Pidcock, who has been climbing the ranks rapidly in recent years, it is this kind of mental insight that sets him apart as a future champion.

The Emergence of Tom Pidcock: A Rising Star

Before delving deeper into his Tour de France experience, it’s important to acknowledge Pidcock’s stunning performances in the early part of the 2025 season. His victory at the AlUla Tour in Saudi Arabia was a huge achievement, as he not only claimed two individual stage wins but also took the overall title. His consistency, tactical awareness, and explosiveness on the climbs made him a formidable force, and he became a leader in the peloton, with eyes fixed on his every move.

Pidcock’s success didn’t stop there. His triumph at the Ruta del Sol, another major race in the early season, further solidified his status as one of the top contenders for the season’s biggest prizes. His ability to challenge for victories across multiple types of stages, from the flat sprints to the high-altitude mountain climbs, showcases the versatility and talent that makes him such a dangerous opponent.

The British rider, who has been a rising star since his days as a junior, is now beginning to fulfill the promise many saw in him from the start. Known for his aggressive racing style, Pidcock has the rare ability to attack at key moments and sustain high-intensity efforts throughout a stage. Whether it’s in the crosswinds, the breakaways, or on the most brutal climbs, Pidcock has the endurance and skill to match any rider in the peloton.

The Battle of the Mentals: Pidcock and Van der Poel

It was at the 2024 Tour de France, however, that Tom Pidcock’s mental toughness came to the forefront. Racing in the shadow of legends like Tadej Pogacar, Jonas Vingegaard, and the aforementioned van der Poel, Pidcock had to learn quickly how to navigate the pressures of competing at the highest level.

During one of the pivotal stages of the Tour, Pidcock found himself alongside Mathieu van der Poel, one of the most aggressive riders in the peloton. Van der Poel, known for his all-around abilities and fearless attitude, is a constant threat on both the flat stages and in the mountains. His fierce competition with the likes of Pidcock has become one of the most exciting narratives in the sport.

Despite the intensity of their rivalry, Pidcock noted a certain synchronicity between himself and van der Poel. “I could just see from his body language that he felt the same as I did,” Pidcock explained. This revelation speaks volumes about the psychological nature of professional cycling. The race is not only a test of physical endurance but also of mental resilience. In a sport as grueling as cycling, where riders are constantly battling against the elements, the course, and their own bodies, the mental aspect can often be the deciding factor between victory and defeat.

For Pidcock, noticing van der Poel’s body language was a moment of recognition—a moment where he understood that even the strongest and most experienced riders can experience similar emotions during such an intense event. Van der Poel, for all his success and history, was also going through the mental grind of the Tour de France, just as Pidcock was. This mutual understanding created a deeper bond between the two riders, and it became clear to Pidcock that this was not just a race of physical power but one where strategy, nerves, and mental fortitude played just as significant a role.

The Mentality of a Champion: How Pidcock Sees the Race

Pidcock’s statement about van der Poel’s body language sheds light on the psychology of professional cycling. For the top riders, it’s not just about raw strength or tactical acumen—it’s about the ability to cope with the mental strain of a grand tour. The stages are long, the climbs are steep, and the pressure to perform is ever-present. Every decision a rider makes is calculated not only in terms of speed but also with regard to the emotional cost it takes on their body and mind.

Pidcock, who has learned from watching some of the greatest in the sport, has developed a unique ability to stay calm and focused under pressure. His sharp observation of van der Poel’s body language was not just a random comment—it was an indication of how closely he watches his rivals and understands their psychology. In the midst of the most difficult stages, where the pain of racing is almost unbearable, Pidcock and his competitors have to dig deep into their mental reserves. This mental game is often the unseen battle that determines the winner of a race.

As he continued his reflections, Pidcock spoke about how much he had learned from riding alongside the likes of van der Poel, Pogacar, and Vingegaard. “You learn a lot from those guys—how they manage their emotions, how they stay composed, and how they deal with the pressures of being in contention for the victory. You learn to trust your body but also trust your mind.”

The 2024 Tour de France was an eye-opening experience for Pidcock, who had previously seen grand tours from a distance. This year, however, he was in the thick of the action, racing shoulder to shoulder with the best. And as Pidcock’s season progresses, it is clear that his understanding of not just the physical aspects of racing but the mental side of the sport is becoming just as refined.

Looking Ahead: Pidcock’s Future in the Peloton

With victories already racking up in 2025 and a growing reputation as one of cycling’s most exciting talents, Tom Pidcock’s future in the peloton is undoubtedly bright. But it’s not just his raw power and impressive results that have made him a fan favorite—it’s his approach to the mental side of racing that sets him apart.

For Pidcock, the ability to observe and adapt to his rivals’ mentalities is becoming a key component of his racing strategy. Whether it’s noticing van der Poel’s body language or recognizing the shared fatigue of his competitors, Pidcock is proving that cycling is as much a mental sport as it is a physical one.

As the season continues and the grand tours loom, Pidcock will undoubtedly be a name to watch. His victories in the AlUla Tour and Ruta del Sol were just the beginning, and with his understanding of both the physical and mental demands of racing at the highest level, Pidcock looks set to challenge for even bigger prizes in the future.

One thing is clear: Pidcock is not just a rider to be reckoned with on the climbs or in the sprints. He’s a rider who understands the importance of the mental game, and that could very well be the key to his future success.