Tom Pidcock to make surprise racing return atTour of the Alps
The British star from Team Pinarello Q36.5 has chosen the 49th edition of the euro-regional stage race for his return to racing, with Innsbruck set to host the team presentation and top contenders’ press conference on the eve of the race
The 2026 Tour of the Alps is about to get underway with its anniversary edition – marking ten years since the signing of the euro-regional cooperation agreement, and the 49th edition overall when including the legacy of the Giro del Trentino. Tomorrow, Sunday, April 19th, will be the official eve of the race in Innsbruck, Tirol, where a symbolic milestone will be celebrated, confirming the event organized by Sport Alto Garda as a firmly established fixture on the international cycling calendar.
On the eve of what is already shaping up to be a rich and compelling edition in terms of both storylines and the technical side, the organizers received news that is set to raise the profile of the 2026 Tour of the Alps even further.
Tom Pidcock is set to arrive in Innsbruck: the British rider has chosen the euro-regional stage race, which starts on Monday, April 20th in the Tyrolean capital, for his return to competition following his crash at the Volta a Catalunya. The participation of the Team Pinarello Q36.5 star – two-time Olympic MTB champion, who was narrowly beaten in a sprint by Tadej Pogačar in the most recent Milano–Sanremo – adds further depth and quality to an already strong starting line-up, opening up new tactical and technical scenarios.
Pidcock will also participate in the traditional pre-race press conference, which is scheduled to take place tomorrow at 16:00 CEST at Congress Innsbruck. He will be joined by Colombia’s Egan Bernal (INEOS Grenadiers), Italy’s Giulio Pellizzari (Red Bull–BORA–Hansgrohe) and the defending champion, Australia's Michael Storer (Tudor Pro Cycling Team).
However, the list of contenders for overall victory extends well beyond these four names. Also competing in the 2026 Tour of the Alps are last year's runner-up, Thymen Arensman (INEOS Grenadiers), and third-place finisher, Derek Gee (Lidl–Trek), as well as Russia's Aleksandr Vlasov (Red Bull–BORA–Hansgrohe) and Australia's Ben O'Connor (Team Jayco AlUla). Young riders to watch include U23 World Champion Lorenzo Finn (Red Bull–BORA–Hansgrohe) and Slovenia’s Jakob Omrzel (Bahrain Victorious), winner of the 2025 Giro d’Italia NextGen.
On Sunday, all the Tour of the Alps contenders will be welcomed by fans in Innsbruck. The official team presentation will start at 17:00 CEST at Congress Innsbruck along Rennweg, the same road where Alejandro Valverde was crowned World Champion in 2018. This road will also host the finish of the opening 144.3 km stage on Monday, April 20th, when the first overall leader will be awarded the Melinda Green Jersey.
