Everything that went down when Tom Pidcock was on stage at Rouleur Live

Despite being told Tom wouldn't comment on his relationship with Ineos he couldn't help himself, even with his bosses in the audience

Tom Pidcock picking up a second Olympic gold medal this summer. Photo courtesy of SWpix.

If you’re a fan of pro cycling and tech then Rouleur Live is a fantastic event. It allows fans to get up close with major stars and see the latest new kit, from winning Tour de France bikes to unreleased treasures not yet on the market.

On Thursday evening the 2024 event kicked off in London with Tom Pidcock headlining.

I’ll be honest, I was a little surprised that the the British rider remained on the bill after the fractious year he’d endured with Ineos Grenadiers but with a brand to promote in Link My Ride, and with three senior staff from Ineos on hand to watch his every word, surely everything would run impeccably, surely nothing could or would go wrong…

The 9 pm on-stage segment started with Matt Stephens entering stage left and offering something of a heads-up style apology.

“There’s been a lot going on this year,” the presenter said.

“In relation to Tom and the team, there’s been a lot in the press, today in particular, that I have no doubt you’d be interested in us talking about. But we can’t. Tom would be whisked off the stage, bundled into a van and taken somewhere like a derelict wasteland. So it’s not going to happen.”

By that point, I’d taken up the best seat in the house, next to Ineos Director of Performance Operations, Carsten Jeppesen. Scott Drawer, the team’s Head of Performance, and an Ineos Grenadiers press officer were also at the event, no doubt waiting with the duct tape and getaway car Stephens was alluding to.