Ineos Grenadiers have already committed to targeting high-profile XCO races in 2021 with Tom Pidcock taking the lead on the off-road campaign. Since expressing interest to race the XCO World Cups, Pidcock's choice of bike has been in question as Pinarello - Ineos' road bike sponsor - no longer produces a mountain bike range.
After a video emerged showing Pidcock riding what looked to be an unbranded BMC, we contacted BMC's Global PR Manager, Melanie Leveau, who confirmed our initial suspicions: "Tom Pidcock will be racing his MTB season on a BMC Fourstroke, unbranded."
Choosing to ride BMC's Fourstroke should provide Pidcock with a competitive platform for his XCO racing, with its contemporary geometry. The Fourstroke features a relatively slack 67.5-degree head angle and 100mm of front and rear suspension to absorb the caliber of terrain racers are expected to conquer on modern XCO courses.
Tom Pidcock will be spearheading Ineos Grenadiers' mountain bike presence. With his e-bike and overall U/23 World Championship wins, Pidcock has all the necessary technical riding skills to give Ineos Grenadiers a presence in World Cup XCO racing.
Giving Ineos more traction
Much will be expected from Pidcock. His road and cyclo-cross performances as a junior attracted interest from Ineos Grenadiers. Those World Championship wins on mountain bikes leave no doubt, that Pidcock can rush rock gardens with the best of them.
It will be interesting to see exactly what the racing specification of his BMC Fourstroke will be. The Swiss brand recommends a 760mm handlebar and 60mm stem for its XCO racing bike, but Tom might have his own cockpit preferences.
On the available imagery of Pidcock and his Fourstroke, it is also clear that Ineos Grenadiers has not opted for suspension from the two major legacy brands: Fox or RockShox. Pidcock’s Fourstroke is equipped with an SR Suntour fork.
The debut for Ineos Grenadiers in mountain biking will be the Swiss Cup in Leukerbad. Pidcock will then join the regular schedule of XCO World Cup events in Albstadt, Nove Mesto and Leogang.
