Geraint Thomas has weighed into the controversy over his Ineos Grenadiers team mate, Tom Pidcock, being "deselected" for Il Lombardia at the weekend. The manner he has done it raises even more questions about management at the team.
In a commercial arrangement with Eurosport, Thomas and another team mate, Laurens De Plus, have recorded a conversation for broadcaster by the channel during which they picked over the bones of the Pidcock dispute as it was still unfolding.
That is an extraordinary situation in itself and one that would have been unthinkable even a few years ago when the team was much more disciplined about its messaging and when internal matters, with some exceptions, were rarely aired in public.
However, now the team's riders have turned into public commentators and media pundits on what's happening inside their own team as it's happening. Thomas is also sure in his remarks to confirm Pidcock is the best paid rider in the team, adding he also feels some of the people Pidcock has around him do not help the situation he's in now.
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"A lot of people are asking me about Tom. The thing is, I don't actually know what has gone on," said Thomas. "But, all I know is… when the highest paid rider in your team… and it's obviously a really crap situation, he's not happy, the team's not happy.
"Well, how has he got to this point? I don't know. People around Tom, I don't think, help. Yeah, I just don't know how… and the fact, like, he (had) a great chance of performing today.
"So, you know, I saw that Zak had said it's a management call. It's not performance call. So I certainly don't know anything about that. We're just riders, eh? What do we know about management? So anyway, it's just not good. All the bullshit aside, he's a great talent."
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Pidcock began the controversy when he said he had been de-selected for Il Lombardia. His omission from the team was strange as he appeared certain of selection after his 2nd place at Giro dell'Emilia (1.Pro) five days earlier, behind Tadej Pogačar (UAE Team Emirates).
"Just as things were on the up after a turbulent end to the year I am deselected for Lombardia tomorrow," Pidcock said in an Instagram post on Friday, which is still on his account.
"I am in great shape and was really looking forwarded to it! Good luck to the boys, I guess off season starts early. Thanks for everyone’s support even in the tough times."
Ineos Grenadiers sports director Zak Dempster was asked about the issue before Il Lombardia on Saturday. He said Pidcock's absence from the start line was a management decision rather than based on performance. Those remarks intensified speculation Pidcock is on his way out of the team.
"That's all the information I have at the moment. It was a management decision on the final team, that's their right and here we are without Tom," said Dempster.
"We have a process in place where we have a long list of riders and then those final seven names that go on the list - it can be a performance decision, and in this case, it was a management decision.
"Obviously, I read the press too, you know? And it's a strange occurrence before a Monument. I don't have any more information, so it's really difficult for me to comment.
"My job on the ground is to get the best out of these kids and put them on their bikes and try and get them to the finish line first, and Tom's not part of that selection today."
