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On the eve of the beginning of the classics season with Omloop Het Nieuwsblad we sat down with team leader Tom Pidcock for a chat about what innovation means for him, from mental health to choosing winter training clothing and trusting in one’s own insticts.
What is your first memory of making an important upgrade to your equipment as an elite athlete? Could you immediately “feel the difference”?
I remember when I finally managed to pursue my dad to allow me to race on his carbon wheels. Not only did they feel good but as importantly they looked awesome!
Could you explain your attitude to choosing equipment for training and racing? Do you have a specific philosophy or a specific (even unusual) set of criteria that you like your equipment to fulfill?
For me the way to choose equipment is to think or reason back from the end goal. Do I need to stay warm and dry? For off-road it’s important whether I need muddy tyres or gears and which clothing? When the racing is fast, I need aero.
Do you have a specific protocol for testing the equipment you use?
No, I don’t but I trust my own knowledge in being able to feel the difference. I trust I know when something is suitable or not and how it can be improved.
Are there any technologies/innovations that you feel you were the pioneer or early adopter of in the peloton?
I’m not someone who is obsessive about technology. I like to focus more on other things like my physical shape, knowledge of the race and my mental well-being.
What are the three key characteristics you look for in your equipment (bike and apparel)?
Quality, style and weight.
What do you consider, in order of priority, to be the most important elements of preparation to achieve a performance goal beyond riding your bike? i.e. is Nutrition first? Rest? Mental wellbeing? Etc.
Mental well-being is the most important because you can only get the maximum from every aspect if your head is in the right place. It gives you that extra mental strength to go further, deeper and get through the tough days.
How did you first hear about Q36.5?
I have been using the Q36.5 chamois for a long time already, so I heard about them a while ago when they offered to help me with them.
What was the first Q36.5 garment you tried? How would you describe it? Could you “feel the difference”?
That was the shorts, and it was a good start because I think it’s the best product Q36.5 make. Since using their shorts, I haven’t had any problems with saddle sores or chaffing.
What Q36.5 equipment are you using this season for training and racing? Could you please talk us through a few of your favourite items? We are particularly interested in the unexpected favourites, the little details or items that one falls in love with.
The full winter suit [Thermobolik] is super for cold days, It’s really a game changer in the colder and wetter months.
The [Woolf] leg and armwarmers warmers are a really nice product that I have been using a lot recently.
Do you have a technological “mentor”? Somebody with an extra special equipment knowledge who tutors you to be smarter about what equipment you use, clothing you wear, food you eat? What is the most important lesson you received from this mentor?
I don’t have a mentor, but I have myself. I’m good at looking and learning and know what is good or bad.
