Ineos Grenadiers countered Tom Pidcock's comment that they were “dropped” from Il Lombardia despite their good performance, saying it was a “management decision” and not due to performance.

“I mean, these are Tom's words. Of course, I'm not stupid. As strange as it may seem, the reality is that teams have the right to choose the team they feel is right for them,” Ineos sporting director Zach Dempster told Cycling News ahead of the start of the Lombardia in Bergamo. [The final team decision is management's, and that's their right.

“We have a long list of riders, and we have a process where we end up with seven names on the list.

Pidcock was scheduled to take the final monument of the season after finishing second behind Tadei Pogachar (UAE Team Emirates) in the Giro delle Miglia and 15th in Gran Piemonte on Thursday.

However, on Friday it became clear that he would not be available as the Ineos bosses decided to sideline him.

“Just when things were looking up after a tumultuous end of the year, I was not selected for tomorrow's Lombardia,” Pidcock wrote.

“I was in great shape and really looking forward to it! The off-season seems to be starting early. Thanks for everyone's support through the tough times.”

Pidcock's future has fallen further into doubt in recent months, despite being under contract to the UK team until 2027, but Dempster was careful not to comment on whether the rumors contributed to his omission.

“Of course, I do read the papers. I don't have any more information than that, so it's really hard for me to comment,” Dempster said.

“My job in the field is to bring out the best in the kids, get them on the bike, and get them to the finish line first.

Ineos Grenadiers, without Pidcock, started Saturday's Il Lombardia with Ethan Hayter, Tymen Arensman, Jonathan Castroviejo, Brandon Rivera, Ben Swift, Connor Swift and Ben Turner.