Tom Pidcock is ready to be part of Britain's aggressive race strategy to challenge Tadej Pogachar, Remco Evenpole and Mathieu van der Pol, while keeping his personal expectations low for Sunday's road world championships in Zurich.

Britain's elite men's team includes Adam and Simon Yates and Tour of Britain winner Stevie Williams. Pidcock's classic pedigree would normally make him a medal contender, but the Yorkshireman has endured a rough ride since winning gold in the mountain bike race at the Paris Olympics.

“I felt good at the Tour of Britain, but then I fell and got concussion and had to recover from that. Pidcock explained after attending the opening of the Pinarello store in the center of Zurich before a training ride and a final reconnaissance ride on the 27km circuit.

“But at the end of the year it is important to be fresh and you don't have to be 100% to win the World Championships.

“The World Championships is the goal. I don't think this is the year, but every year is an experience and a chance to learn.”

Pidcock named Tadej Pogachal and Lemko Evenpoel as strong contenders for the rainbow jersey.

“I think there are several strong teams: the British, Americans, and Spanish also have strong teams. And of course there is Lemko and Tadej. Tadej has publicly stated how big a goal this tournament is for him, and when he says so, he means it."

“There will be a lot of attention on Pogachar. Pogachar will get a lot of attention.”

Britain hopes to answer Pogachar with an aggressive race. 'There's a lot of climbing distance, but it's a long race. Pidcock predicts, “The roads are fast in Switzerland, so it could be fast.

“In a circuit race, if you learn the course well, like in a cross bike or mountain bike race, you know where to move and where to conserve energy. That way you can save a lot of energy."

”Our team tactic is to lead the race aggressively. That's the best way.”

Pidcock competed in cyclocross last winter, started his road season in Portugal in February, and competed in the Tour de France, but COVID-19 forced him to retire before stage 14. He rode brilliantly in Paris, winning mountain bike gold for the second year in a row.

He definitely deserved to end his season early, but after suffering concussion at the Tour of Britain, he trained at home in Andorra and traveled to Switzerland to represent his country.

“Sometimes you have an obligation,” he said. We'll see what happens.” I hope it goes well and we get a good result in the Italian race at the end of the season.”

Pidcock's 2025 season will feature little winter cyclo-cross, limited mountain bike racing, and more road racing, especially the Tour de France.

There, the success of Pogachar and Evenpoel will set a new benchmark for Pidcock.

“I compare myself to them. I want to compete with them, I want to be, but I'm not there yet,” he admitted.

“Certainly, 2025 will be a more normal year; I think 2025 will be a more normal year; I think 2025 will be a more normal year.

“I want to step up on the road. Mountain bike racing is great, but if I can fit in around the road, that's fine.” [Unlimited access to all coverage of the 2024 UCI Road World Championships, including breaking news and analysis from local journalists, including junior, under-23 and elite time trials and road races. Details.