Tom Pidcock has been announced as a surprise last-minute addition to Ineos Grenadiers’ Paris-Roubaix line-up.
In a video posted on the team’s social media channels, the Brit was shown stepping out of a car and saying “Roubaix baby”. He will join Josh Tarling, Ben Turner, Connor Swift, Ben Swift, AJ August and Elia Viviani at the race on Sunday.
News of Pidcock’s participation comes just days after he said he was unable to bear weight on his right leg following a crash at Itzulia Basque Country.
The 24-year-old withdrew from the race ahead of the first stage on Monday after he crashed in a recon ride of the opening time trial. He went to hospital for examination, where scans revealed he had suffered no fractures.
“The wind took me out on one of the corners on the circuit,” Pidcock said in a video released by his team. “I’ve hit my hip pretty hard and I can’t bear any weight on it at all.”
The Brit later posted an update on his Instagram, writing that he “currently cannot weight bear on my right leg” and that he was awaiting further scans.
Sunday will mark Pidcock’s debut in the elite race at Paris-Roubaix. Despite never having raced the Monument as a professional, he has experienced victory over the cobbles twice already.
In 2017, aged 17, he won Paris-Roubaix juniors, attacking solo in the race and following in the footsteps of fellow Brits Geraint Thomas and Andy Fenn.
Pidcock then went on to win the under-23 race two years later, becoming the first British winner in the event at that level.