Volta ao Algarve TT marks 'important step' in Tom Pidcock's career

Tom Pidcock in the leader's jersey at the Volta ao Algarve
Tom Pidcock in the leader's jersey at the Volta ao Algarve (Image credit: Getty Images)

Tom Pidcock described the general classification as an "afterthought" at the start of the Volta ao Algarve but now, with the yellow jersey on his back and 24.4km left to race, the prospect of a first stage race victory as a professional is crystallising. 

It was no secret that Pidcock would be among the contenders on the punchy climb of Alto do Malhao on Saturday. What remains a mystery is how he might fare in Sunday's concluding time trial. 

Patrick Fletcher

Patrick is a freelance sports writer and editor. He’s an NCTJ-accredited journalist with a bachelor’s degree in modern languages (French and Spanish). Patrick worked full-time at Cyclingnews for eight years between 2015 and 2023, latterly as Deputy Editor.

Read more
Tom Pidcock (Q36.5 Pro Cycling) leads the chase group with Jai Hindley (Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe) on his back wheel on the final section of the Frontignano climb
'My red zone was a little higher than I thought' - Tom Pidcock regrets another second place at Tirreno-Adriatico
British Thomas Pidcock of Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team and Slovenian Tadej Pogacar of UAE Team Emirates pictured in action during the men elite 'Strade Bianche' one day cycling race, 213km from and to Siena, Italy on Saturday 08 March 2025. BELGA PHOTO DIRK WAEM (Photo by DIRK WAEM / BELGA MAG / Belga via AFP) (Photo by DIRK WAEM/BELGA MAG/AFP via Getty Images)
'It's a big positive step forward' - Tom Pidcock fatigued but proud after Strade Bianche battle with Tadej Pogačar
Jan Christen wearing the leader's jersey on stage 4 at Volta ao Algarve
'It's all or nothing' - Volta ao Algarve leader Jan Christen resolute before final TT challenge
SKYVIEWS OF HARRAT UWAYRID SAUDI ARABIA JANUARY 31 Tom Pidcock of The United Kingdom and Q365 Pro Cycling Team Green Leader Jersey attacks in the final climb during the 5th AlUla Tour 2025 Stage 4 a 1409km stage from Maraya to Skyviews of Harrat Uwayrid 1159m on January 31 2025 in Skyviews of Harrat Uwayrid Saudi Arabia Photo by Szymon GruchalskiGetty Images
AlUla Tour stage 4: Tom Pidcock dominates on Skyviews of Harrat Uwayrid
Tadej Pogačar at speed during the UAE Tour time trial
'I blew the legs, that's the whole point of the all-out effort' - Tadej Pogačar loses out to TT specialists but gains time on UAE Tour rivals
Tom Pidcock (Q36.5 Pro Cycling) Team)
AlUla Tour: Tom Pidcock attacks late to win stage 2
Latest in
WALLERS FRANCE JULY 06 Tadej Pogacar of Slovenia and UAE Team Emirates white best young jersey competes passing through a cobblestones sector during to the 109th Tour de France 2022 Stage 5 a 157km stage from Lille to WallersArenberg TDF2022 WorldTour on July 06 2022 in Wallers France Photo by Bernard Papon PoolGetty Images
'He has the engine' - Geraint Thomas has no doubts Tadej Pogačar can conquer 2025 Paris-Roubaix despite lack of experience
Danish Mads Pedersen of Lidl-Trek celebrates after winning the men's Gent-Wevelgem - In Flanders Fields cycling race, 253.1 km from Ieper to Wevelgem, Sunday 24 March 2024. BELGA PHOTO ERIC LALMAND (Photo by ERIC LALMAND / BELGA MAG / Belga via AFP)
Gent-Wevelgem 2025 start list
French rider of team Visma Lease A Bike Christophe Laporte speaks during a press conference after winning the 118th edition of the 213,9 km Paris-Tours one day cycling race, in Tours, central France on October 6, 2024. (Photo by GUILLAUME SOUVANT / AFP)
Christophe Laporte misses out on cobbled Classics due to cytomegalovirus
(From L) Second-placed Italian Elisa Balsamo of Lidl-Trek, winner Dutch Lorena Wiebes of SD Worx - Protime and third-placed Italian Chiara Consonni of UAE Team ADQ celebrate on the podium after the Cycling World Tour Gent-Wevelgem women's 171,2 km from Ieper to Wevelgem, on March 24, 2024. (Photo by ERIC LALMAND / Belga / AFP) / Belgium OUT
Gent-Wevelgem Women 2025 start list
Jay Vine wins stage 3 at Coppi e Bartali 2025
Coppi e Bartali: Jay Vine holds off chase to take solo stage 3 victory
SANREMO ITALY MARCH 22 Tadej Pogacar of Slovenia and Team UAE Team Emirates competes during the 116th MilanoSanremo 2025 a 289km one day race from Pavia to Sanremo UCIWT on March 22 2025 in Sanremo Italy Photo by Dario BelingheriGetty Images
'When he starts somewhere, it is to try to win' – Why Tadej Pogačar can win Paris-Roubaix
Latest in News
WALLERS FRANCE JULY 06 Tadej Pogacar of Slovenia and UAE Team Emirates white best young jersey competes passing through a cobblestones sector during to the 109th Tour de France 2022 Stage 5 a 157km stage from Lille to WallersArenberg TDF2022 WorldTour on July 06 2022 in Wallers France Photo by Bernard Papon PoolGetty Images
'He has the engine' - Geraint Thomas has no doubts Tadej Pogačar can conquer 2025 Paris-Roubaix despite lack of experience
French rider of team Visma Lease A Bike Christophe Laporte speaks during a press conference after winning the 118th edition of the 213,9 km Paris-Tours one day cycling race, in Tours, central France on October 6, 2024. (Photo by GUILLAUME SOUVANT / AFP)
Christophe Laporte misses out on cobbled Classics due to cytomegalovirus
SANREMO ITALY MARCH 22 Tadej Pogacar of Slovenia and Team UAE Team Emirates competes during the 116th MilanoSanremo 2025 a 289km one day race from Pavia to Sanremo UCIWT on March 22 2025 in Sanremo Italy Photo by Dario BelingheriGetty Images
'When he starts somewhere, it is to try to win' – Why Tadej Pogačar can win Paris-Roubaix
Wout Van Aert wears an aero helmet during a road stage of the Volta ao Algarve
'A tried and tested recipe' – Wout Van Aert hopes altitude training can give him the edge on return to racing at E3 Saxo Classic
The Hiplok Z Lok Combo bike lock on a worktop
Keep the bike thieves at bay with one of the best lightweight bike locks – the Hiplok Z Lok Combo has 40% off in this Amazon Big Spring Sale deal
DE PANNE BELGIUM MARCH 26 Jonathan Milan of Italy and Team LidlTrek on second place poses on the podium ceremony after the 49th Classic BruggeDe Panne 2025 Mens Elite a 1956km one day race from Brugge to De Panne UCIWT on March 26 2025 in De Panne Belgium Photo by Luc ClaessenGetty Images
Yellow cards for Milan, Kristoff and Schwarzmann at crash-hit Classic Brugge-De Panne