According to Cycling Weekly, Olympic champion Tom Pidcock has been forced to withdraw from the upcoming Tour de Suisse, a significant preparatory race for next month’s Tour de France, due to a mild viral infection. The British rider, who was set to lead the Pinarello Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team at the five-stage event, will now amend his June race programme to prioritize recovery.

Pidcock had been at an altitude training camp in Sierra Nevada when he contracted the illness, leading to a number of missed training days. Cycling Weekly reported that the team confirmed the decision to pull him from the Tour de Suisse, emphasizing the need for additional recovery and training time ahead of his primary goals.

“Following a small number of missed training days at the team’s altitude training camp in Sierra Nevada due to contracting a mild viral infection, the Pinarello Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team has decided to amend Tom Pidcock’s June race programme to allow for additional recovery and training time,” a statement from Pinarello Q36.5 read.

Amended race schedule and Tour de France outlook

The Tour de Suisse, which was a key part of Pidcock’s build-up to the Tour de France, has been removed from his calendar. In its place, he is now slated to compete in the one-day Andorra MoraBanc Classica on June 21, “health permitting.” This event holds particular significance as Pidcock has returned to his adopted home in Andorra, where he will continue his training.

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“As such the Tour of Switzerland has been removed from his race calendar to be replaced, health permitting, by the Andorra MoraBanc Classica on 21 June,” the team statement further clarified. “While disappointed to miss the Team’s home race, Tom has returned home to Andorra where he will continue to train and is now very much looking forward to competing on his adopted home roads around the mountains of Andorra.”

Despite the disruption to his immediate schedule, the Pinarello Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team made no mention of any changes to Pidcock’s plans for the Tour de France, suggesting confidence in his ability to regain fitness. The altered preparation, however, will undoubtedly be a point of focus as the Grand Tour approaches.

Recent form prior to illness

Pidcock’s recent performances have showcased his versatility and strong form across disciplines. His last competitive outing was at the UCI Mountain Bike World Cup in Nové Město, Czech Republic, on May 24, where he excelled:

• Won the cross-country Olympic event.

• Finished second in the cross-country short track event.

On the road, his most recent appearance was on May 1, where he secured a second-place finish at Eschborn-Frankfurt. His return to competition at the Andorra MoraBanc Classica will be a crucial test of his recovery and readiness for the challenges ahead.

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