Tom Pidcock will 'let the legs do the talking' as Q36.5 Pro Cycling rider aims to make an impact in the 2025 La Vuelta general classification
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Published 21/08/2025 at 21:48 GMT+1
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A "really refreshed" Tom Pidcock is full of optimism heading into the 2025 La Vuelta. With no Tour de France commitments, the Brit has had a deliberately restful summer, certainly in comparison to his Giro d'Italia preparation in the spring. And so the 26-year-old feels he can "go full" for the general classification as he seeks his first top 10 finish at a Grand Tour.
Pidcock pips Stage 3 'by a centimetre!'
Video credit: TNT Sports
Tom Pidcock is hoping that a restful summer will put him in the perfect place to battle for the general classification at the 2025 La Vuelta, shown live on TNT Sports and discovery+.
The Brit is yet to break into the top 10 of a Grand Tour, finishing 16th at this year's Giro d'Italia and skipping the subsequent Tour de France.
However, competing in his first Vuelta since finishing in 67th place in 2021, Pidcock is adamant that he feels "really refreshed" and ready to "go full" for the GC.
His latest outing, the Arctic Race of Norway from August 7-10, saw him end up in second having claimed Stage 3 - the longest of the four-day event.
"I think [La Vuelta] will help me move on as a rider perhaps," Pidcock told TNT Sports. "I've had a pretty nice summer. [I've had] not so many races, Norway most recently.
"So I feel really refreshed actually, a lot more refreshed than I was a year ago. Hopefully we'll see some difference from me.
"I'm going to go full for the GC. We're going to do the best in the GC as possible. Shorter climbs, so we'll see."
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From Turin to Madrid: Official route for the 2025 Vuelta a Espana
Video credit: TNT Sports
The summer also saw Pidcock win gold at the European Mountain Bike Championships, reclaiming his crown from 2022.
So the 26-year-old has enjoyed a far more suitable lead-up to the final Grand Tour of the year than the first, with races such as Strade Bianche, La Fleche Wallonne, Tirreno-Adriatico, Liege-Bastogne-Liege and the Amstel Gold Race packing out Pidcock's spring.
This ultimately led to Pidcock finishing 44'41'' behind Giro winner and fellow Brit Simon Yates, with both Max Poole and Adam Yates two other compatriots who finished above the Q36.5 Pro Cycling rider.
"I was tired in the Giro to be honest. It was not really the best preparation for a Grand Tour. I hope this time it will be different," he admitted.
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But this year's Vuelta, running from August 23 to September 14, could be the perfect chance for Pidcock to prove his potential.
Stage 1 sees contenders ride 186.1km from Turin to Novara, and while the course is generally flat, a Category 3 climb punctuates the first half with several other minor ramps following later in the day.
"There's another shortish climb at the finish," said Pidcock. "I think it will already be a test and normally I take a bit of time to enjoy the races, so we'll see. But of course it's another opportunity to let the legs do the talking."
How to watch La Vuelta on TV and live stream
Watch every stage of La Vuelta live on TNT Sports and discovery+.
The Breakaway pre- and post-show will be hosted by Orla Chennaoui with analysis from Adam Blythe. Rob Hatch will be joined in the commentary box by 1988 Vuelta winner Sean Kelly and Robbie McEwen.
An expert team of reporters will be embedded within the race as it traverses 3,151km across Spain, Italy, Andorra and France to get to the heart of every story. This includes Anders Mielke, Andrea Berton, Thomas Bihel and Jip van den Bos, with three-time Vuelta champion and legend of the sport Alberto Contador presenting live coverage during the final stage from Madrid.
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Watch every stage of La Vuelta 2025 live on TNT Sports and discovery+
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