‘Ninja’ Pidcock Dashed by Unexpected Catalunya Withdrawal Due to Knee Damage

Tom Pidcock has experienced the highs and lows of pro cycling in the past ten days, with victory in Milano-Torino and a very close second place to Tadej Pogačar in Milan-San Remo being followed now by a shock withdrawal from the Volta a Catalunya.

Pidcock went off the road and into a ravine on Friday’s stage of the latter race, but was able to clamber back up, change bikes and finish the stage.

He explained the circumstances afterwards and described himself as a ninja for emerging relatively unscathed.

“I was drinking on the descent and misjudged a corner. I overshot it and went down the ravine. It was like one of these horror crashes you see, but I am okay,” he said in a Pinarello Q36.5 Pro Cycling press release.

“I’ll go for a check, but I think I’m okay. I am lucky I could talk on the radio. I was far from the road and nobody knew I was there. I’m happy I could finish the stage.”

His team gave every indication he would continue. “Initial assessments are reassuring, with no immediate signs of serious injury,” it stated.

There was no sign of immediate concerns when Pidcock gave an update on social media. In a post on Friday evening, Pidcock acknowledged how dangerous the crash was but gave the impression that he had dodged a bullet.

“Today I lost a life for sure,” he wrote, showing a screenshot of the bend in question. “Was drinking on the descent and completely misjudged my braking and went straight on here. Luckily I had my radio so they could find me as no one knew I’d crashed. I’m going to self-proclaim as a ninja crasher, 60kph off a mountain road and I’m relatively okay ”

Surprise withdrawal

However while that somewhat upbeat tone suggested he would continue in the race, an announcement on Saturday morning revealed things had changed.

“Due to his crash he suffered injuries, most likely bone and ligament damage in particular to his right knee and also right wrist,” stated Lorenz Emmert, the team’s chief medical doctor. “Unfortunately we had to make the decision to take him out of the race. Further clinical evaluation and imaging will follow in the next days additionally to the already initiated healing process.”

Pidcock will remain under close observation in the days ahead.

The Briton will be hugely disappointed, not least because of his exceptional form and what was a chance to compare himself against Jonas Vingegaard, Remco Evenepoel and others following his impressive display against Pogačar in San Remo.

He had appeared to be building perfectly towards the Tour de France but now has suffered this unwelcome setback.

“We did everything to try to make it to the start but it’s not possible,” he stated in the team communication.

“I fought to finish the stage yesterday to make sure I had the option to continue. Now the focus is on recovery, and I’ll be back.”