Tom Pidcock is not showing up at Strade Bianche to settle for a place on the podium behind Tadej Pogačar: the British rider wants to win .

True to his combative nature, the leader of Q36.5 Pro Cycling does not give up in the face of the Slovenian's expected domination. If last year he was surprised by Pogačar's solo attack, this year Pidcock, after an excellent seasonal debut with his new team, has found the right determination and will try to beat his rival by finding a weak point in his supremacy.

' To beat Tadej you have to cross the finish line first,' Pidcock said on Friday afternoon in Siena after the team presentations in the Fortress overlooking the Renaissance city. 'We are here to race, to try to win and that's it.'

Pidcock, winner of the 2023 Strade Bianche with a 50km solo move (in Pogačar’s absence), expects UAE Team Emirates-XRG to work to protect their captain before his decisive attack. The Briton will try to follow him and then play his cards.

'It's predictable because there's Tadej. His team will ride only for him and set a hard pace . Then Tadej will definitely want to attack,' Pidcock explained, outlining the options for those hoping to compete with the Slovenian. ' In that situation you can't do much else. You either follow him or you don't follow him. If you can follow him, then everything is possible.'

His technical skills on dirt could be a deciding factor. 'I definitely have confidence. I know I'm in good shape. I'll do everything I can to try and win. It's as simple as that.'