Yes that's the main reason. But I don't think he would have won anyway. If he wanted to win why was he doing a stage race recently when after the tour he could have exclusively focused on MTB at almost no cost since he isn't going to worlds (or anything else notable) for the rest of the season.
I had zero belief but chapeau to him. He has proved he has more than GC potential. 3rd in this company is actually very impressive. I'm disappointed Hindley couldn't grab 3rd but he threw everything at it and Pidcock just would not lie down. Respect.
In other news I couldn't believe my eyes...
The cancelled TT was his best chance😂
It's just sad to think Almeida turns himself inside out in a 12.2km to gain 10 seconds and then gives 4 away cause uae and Almeida are asleep the next day.
They may find an alliance with RBH as they will need to fry pidcocks legs before the final climb to have a hope of the podium.
Really there should be two teams looking to defend their positions and two trying to blow it up.
This is wild to me, sorry.
He could have been thankful for the exit and worked for the team on his way out to "prove all the haters" wrong and increase his market value. That's the smart thing to do.
I hope he has already inked a deal.
Meh, he broke/was released from his contract and still won't work for the team while they continue to pay him. They should have just sent him home and released the statement. This can't go on surely - though I'm 100% here for it!
So Pidcock isn't racing MTB worlds (at vuelta), surely that is the focus now for mvdp? There is nothing to do on the road worth talking about this year.