UCI Mountain Bike World Series 2023: Tom Pidcock opens cross-country season in style with emphatic victory

A masterclass from Britain’s Tom Pidcock (Ineos Grenadiers) saw the Olympic gold medallist power to victory in the UCI Cross-country Short Track World Cup men’s elite race, as part of the UCI Mountain Bike World Series on Friday.

Pidcock was fired up as he crossed the line to open his account in style with an emphatic celebration. Samuel Gaze (Alpecin-Deceuninck) of New Zealand came in second with Germany’s Luca Schwartzbauer (Canyon CLLCTV) rounding out the podium.

It was a quite stunning ride from Pidcock, who never looked as though he would allow himself to be denied on the final lap as he took a memorable win.

Having taken the decision to participate in the event only hours before it commenced, Pidcock started the race in last place, and with just two laps remaining, the Briton was still 22nd and never looked like threatening the riders at the front.

But out of nowhere, Pidcock suddenly appeared in second having saved his best to last. Schwarzbauer had held top spot for the majority of the race, but the German was powerless to prevent Pidcock from taking the lead on the final left-hand corner, holding off a desperate sprint from Gaze to take the victory.

Gaze bobbled on the final corner which may have affected his final approach, but it was Pidcock’s day, and he celebrated with his arms out stretched. You might have sympathy for Schwarzbauer, who expanded so much energy only to see Pidcock seize the initiative when it really mattered.

There was disappointment for the reigning overall title-holder Alan Hatherly (EF Education-NIPPO Development Team), who hit the deck on the last lap and finished a lowly 34th.

“I mean, I only found out I was racing at 3pm having already done a three-and-a-half hour training run this morning,” Pidcock told Eurosport.

“I’ve been second here in the short track before so it’s nice to win one.

“I wasn’t really stressed at the start because, you know, I’d rather start a bit further behind, give ourselves a bit of space.

“I also didn’t want to crash today. I have crashed on short track before and it can ruin the weekend. So yeah, just trying to stay out of trouble.”

Fifth-placed Nino Schurter (SCOTT-SRAM) said: “It was another hectic short track, but I felt really good, managed well to get through and I’m happy with the front start row for Sunday.”

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