Thomas Gloag: From Visma-Lease a Bike to Q36.5 Pro Cycling - A New Chapter for the British Talent

A Fresh Start: Gloag's Ambition for Consistent Brilliance

A Promising Beginning and Persistent Challenges

For three years, Thomas Gloag was a part of the formidable Visma-Lease a Bike squad. His early career showed immense promise, including a remarkable sixth-place finish in the general classification at the 2023 Volta a la Comunitat Valenciana, his inaugural race. He also successfully completed the demanding Giro d'Italia, a testament to his resilience and potential. However, a severe training accident in August 2023 led to a shattered right kneecap, sidelining him for eleven months. Upon his return, he quickly secured a stage win at the Czech Tour, only for another injury—a fractured elbow—to disrupt his momentum once more. The subsequent racing season saw him accumulate 58 race days but with limited success, highlighting a need for change.

Seeking a New Environment for Growth

Gloag recognized that a new team environment was essential for his continued development. He acknowledged his positive experience at Visma, but the opportunity presented by Q36.5 Pro Cycling, a burgeoning team expected to participate in all three Grand Tours, proved to be a more suitable path. This transition also sees him reuniting with Tom Pidcock, a former teammate from Trinity Racing in 2020, and fellow VC Londres alumnus Fred Wright. Crucially, he will also be working again with his former coach, Kurt Bogaerts, now the head of performance at the Swiss team, a factor that heavily influenced his decision.

Reflections on Visma and the Importance of Fundamentals

Reflecting on his tenure at Visma, Gloag described it as a period of highs and lows. Despite the challenging injury, he lauded Visma as an unparalleled learning ground, offering a masterclass in professional cycling. He emphasized that while cutting-edge innovations are often highlighted, true success hinges on mastering the fundamentals. Visma's meticulous attention to these 'unsexy' yet crucial aspects provided him with invaluable habits and traits that he believes will sustain his career in the professional peloton for years to come.

Addressing the 'Achilles' Heel': Overcoming Volume Limitations

Gloag candidly assessed areas for improvement, particularly his struggle with consistent performance between March and September. He expressed a strong desire to maintain a top-level competitive edge throughout the year, rather than in sporadic windows. He honestly admitted that his ability to handle high training volumes has historically been a weakness, stemming from a junior career focused on academics rather than extensive cycling hours. Having accumulated over 900 hours of riding this year, he hopes to have built a stronger physical foundation to overcome this long-standing challenge.

Grand Tour Ambitions and Future Goals

Leveraging Pidcock's successful 2025 season, which included a podium finish at the Vuelta a España, Q36.5 has secured guaranteed wildcard entries to all WorldTour events next season, including all Grand Tours. Gloag is eager to return to a Grand Tour and compete at a high level. However, his ultimate goal transcends specific races; he simply yearns to consistently ride fast and be at the forefront of competitions, irrespective of their scale. His objective is clear: to spend less time at the back of the peloton and more time leading the charge.