Tom Pidcock has been ruled out of Strade Bianche (1.UWT) due to illness, his Ineos Grenadiers team has confirmed. The British rider has been suffering with illness in recent days, though it is not related to Covid-19.
"Unfortunately Tom Pidcock will not start Strade Bianche tomorrow due to a stomach virus he's been suffering with since early this week," the team said in a brief statement on Friday morning. "The medical team have taken the decision it's better he returns home to rest ahead of his next race."
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Pidcock was one of the fancied riders for the race across the white gravel roads. The reigning cyclocross world champion and MTB Olympic champion was 5th in his debut appearance in the event last year.
He was coming into the race having been building his form steadily in recent weeks. Last Saturday he looked like one of the strongest riders in Omloop Het Nieuwsblad, though did not figure much in the finale after being on the attack.
He enjoyed another strong display on Sunday at Kuurne-Bruxelles-Kuurne. While he was also not a factor in the finish of that race, the manner of his riding during both races last weekend suggested he was close to very good condition as tomorrow's big showdown approached.
