Xabier Mikel Azparren
The Wingman

Cycling is that unique sport where only one rider stands on the top step of the podium but needs an entire team by his side to make it to that point. Today we introduce one of the riders behind and next to Tom Pidcock in all his major races.

Basque rider Xabier Mikel Azparren is the so-called wingman, or domestique. He does his job in the early hours of the race, away from the cameras and media attention, but is absolutely instrumental to the results Tom Pidcock achieves for the Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team.

“My job on the team last year was very different,” Xabier Mikel starts. “I went in breakaways trying to achieve results from the break. Sadly 2024 was also a year with two major injuries: a broken left shoulder and a broken right collarbone. It was hard to get that best feeling again to go for success, so I helped other riders in doing sprint lead-outs for example.”

Xabier Mikel was born in San Sebastián 26 years ago. His heroes in cycling were riders like Imanol Erviti, Jonathan Castroviejo and Omar Fraile – riders who often sacrificed their own chances to make sure their team leader had the best opportunity to shine.

“Helping others is something I always liked doing, on and off the bike,” Xabier Mikel continues. “I respected riders like Imanol a lot because in cycling you need strong riders like him on your team. Alejandro Valverde needed Imanol’s strength to achieve the great results he did. Growing up watching these riders was the first bit of motivation to also become a key domestique.”

The fact that Xabier Mikel might not crack a result for himself in races where he is Tom’s wingman, doesn’t mean there isn’t pressure on him like there is on Tom having to get results.

“It’s not the same pressure to win that he experiences but there is pressure on me to follow the race plan, to do my job right there and then. My work is important to reach the team’s objectives, from kilometre one, to deep into the final or even all the way the finish line. It’s a hard physical job to fight for positions. If I choose the wrong place in the peloton, the mistake is mine. I do my job the best possible way to avoid mistakes affecting our results.”

Communication is very important for a team leader and his wingman. Xabier Mikel knows exactly what Tom needs from him in race situations. Milan-Sanremo is a good example. The race was a big objective for the Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team in general and Tom personally. It’s the longest race on the calendar where nothing really happens in the first hours until the peloton reaches Capo Berta and Capo Mele. It doesn’t mean Xabier Mikel had an easy day though.

“Tom does everything he does as a leader quite naturally. It’s his second nature to lead both on and off the bike. He is here to win races, and you need big balls to do that, but you also need the qualities to encourage your teammates and make them feel part of your success. He does that really well and in a very pleasant manner.”

“I am really enjoying my job at the moment,” Xabier Mikel concludes. “We are the same age and get along really well. To get these opportunities to race alongside him and to see him do his job every day is an opportunity of a lifetime. He shows me every day that I make a difference and that’s a great feeling to have.”

“Cycling is a team sport but only one rider gets to step onto that podium. It’s then up to the rider whether he makes his own win a team win. Tom always makes it a team win. To thank him for what I learned from him and the times we spent together, I will invite him to San Sebastián after the season for a traditional Basque cider and a really big steak.”