Pidcock Eyes Tour de France as Soler Faces Doping Allegations | Cycling News

Tom Pidcock launched his 2026 campaign with a strong showing at the Vuelta a Murcia on Friday, finishing third behind a dominant UAE Emirates team led by stage winner Marc Soler. The British rider, now competing with Pinarello-Q36.5, signaled his intent for a Tour de France return this summer, despite a challenging relationship with the race in recent years.

Soler took the victory in a shortened 83km stage, attacking from an early breakaway and ultimately riding solo to the finish line. The win, however, is shadowed by reports linking Soler’s father to Pepe Martí, a Spanish trainer currently banned for his involvement in the US Postal Service doping scandal. Escape Collective and AS both reported on the alleged connection this week.

Pidcock, making his season debut, expressed satisfaction with his form despite being unable to match the pace of Soler and his UAE Emirates teammates. “We struggled with our radios a bit,” Pidcock told reporters after the stage. “When Tim [Wellens, UAE] attacked, I was taking a gel and then it was a bit late, and in front they’d gone. It was so fast you can’t bring back this time gap. They [UAE] did a perfect race really.” He added, “But I’m pretty happy with my legs and how I felt in the end. I can’t complain too much, we got outsmarted today.”

The performance comes after Pidcock undertook an unconventional training camp in Chile this winter, a decision he believes has prepared him well for the challenges ahead. He’ll continue his early-season racing with appearances at the Clásica Jaén and Ruta del Sol stage race before turning his attention to the classics and, the Tour de France.

A New Approach to the Tour

Pidcock’s previous experiences at the Tour de France have been mixed. He enjoyed a breakthrough stage win on Alpe d’Huez in 2022, but his 2024 campaign was marred by internal disputes with his then-team, INEOS Grenadiers, and ultimately ended in an early abandonment. He is determined to approach this year’s race with a different mindset.

“My main goal is to go there and have fun and enjoy it, and I think that will bring success,” Pidcock recently told The Observer. “Obviously, we’re going to have to train our balls off.” He acknowledged the difficulty of competing solely for a top-10 finish, stating, “When you’re competing just to stay in the top 10, I struggle to find the motivation to do that and have to battle with that for three weeks. It’s just draining.”

Pidcock’s shift in perspective reflects a desire to rediscover the joy in racing, something he felt was missing during his previous Tour experiences. “I think if we can go and enjoy the stress of the Tour, then that will help change my mindset back to how it should be,” he explained.

The arrival of Q36.5 as a title sponsor and the formation of the Pinarello-Q36.5 team represent a fresh start for Pidcock. The team is making its Tour de France debut in 2026, and Pidcock will be its designated leader. The team’s ambitions align with Pidcock’s desire to race with freedom, and enjoyment.

Saturday’s concluding stage of the Vuelta a Murcia promises another challenging test for the riders, with a lumpy course across the region. UAE Emirates, having demonstrated their strength with a 1-2 finish on Friday, appear well-positioned to secure overall victory. However, Pidcock and Pinarello-Q36.5 will be looking to continue building momentum and fine-tuning their form as they prepare for the bigger challenges that lie ahead.