Tom Pidcock, backed by a formidable team, is set to reignite the Vuelta a Andalucía. After a stellar performance last year, the mountain-bike Olympic champion will lead Pinarello Q36.5 Pro Cycling in the Andalusian race, starting on February 18 in Benahavís. With his UCI ranking and third-place finish in the previous edition, Pidcock is a strong contender once again.
In 2025, Pidcock made waves, winning a stage in Torredelcampo (Jaén) and engaging in a fierce general classification battle with Pavel Sivakov (UAE). Despite Sivakov's victory, Pidcock's third-place finish showcased his competitive spirit. This season, the race could be a repeat of that thrilling contest.
Pinarello Q36.5 has assembled a talented squad to support their star rider. One key member is Belgian Xandro Meurisse, an experienced attacker known for his long breakaways and effective sprints, as evidenced by his Vuelta a Murcia 2020 win. This will be Meurisse's second appearance in Andalucía, having debuted in 2017 with Wanty.
Another standout is Fred Wright, a powerful rouleur with multiple top 10 finishes in prestigious classics like the Tour of Flanders, Paris–Roubaix, and Milano–Sanremo. Wright's track background, as the European U23 madison champion, adds a sharp edge to his finishes, making him a formidable contender in the race's selective finales.
The team also includes Quinten Hermans, making his race debut. Hermans, a Belgian, has a stage win at Itzulia Basque Country and a second-place finish at Liège–Bastogne–Liège in 2022, demonstrating his consistency in challenging terrain.
Completing the lineup are Milan Vader, a Dutch debutant at the Ruta del Sol, and Brent Van Moer, returning for his second Vuelta a Andalucía. Van Moer, a stage winner at the 2022 Critérium du Dauphiné, adds further depth to the team.
With a mix of experience and talent, Pinarello Q36.5 is poised to make a strong showing at the Vuelta a Andalucía 2026, with Tom Pidcock leading the charge.
