'I don't think I've done such a hard race in such heat before' – Tom Pidcock unable to challenge in punchy Tour de France finale after being 'cooked' by searing temperatures

British Thomas Pidcock of Pinarello-Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team pictured after stage 3 of the 2026 Tour de France cycling race, a stage of 195,9km from Granollers, Spain, to Les Angles, France, Monday 06 July 2026. The 113th edition of the Tour de France starts on Saturday 4 July in Barcelona, Spain, and will finish in Paris, France on the 26th of July. BELGA PHOTO POOL TOMAS SISK (Photo by POOL TOMAS SISK / BELGA MAG / Belga via AFP).

Tom Pidcock (Pinarello Q36.5) was unable to challenge the finale of stage 3 at the Tour de France and admitted that he felt 'cooked' as searing heat on the Spain-France border played a major role in Monday's finish.

The British rider would've been a major contender on paper for the 1.7km climb to the line near Les Angles, with an average gradient of 6.5% suiting his characteristics as a top puncheur and explosive climber.