'If I can battle with Tadej for a little or for a long time, that's a positive' - Tom Pidcock prepares to again take on Pogačar at Strade Bianche

Tom Pidcock walks past the Strade Bianche trophy in front of a red backdrop at the teams presentation.

Tom Pidcock will ride Strade Bianche for a fifth time on Saturday. As a former winner, one of the most skilled off-road riders in the sport, and runner-up to Tadej Pogačar last year, the Briton naturally aims high every time he travels to Tuscany.

Pidcock is in his second season with Pinarello-Q36.5, and he and the team appear to have improved year on year. The team's core Classics squad prepared at altitude in Chile for 25 days in February.