Tom Pidcock ‘really pushing himself’ as he headlines British squad for European Cyclocross Championships
The British and under-23 CX champ is stepping up this season


The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
Thank you for signing up to The Pick. You will receive a verification email shortly.
There was a problem. Please refresh the page and try again.
Tom Pidcock says he has set himself the challenge of “pushing himself against the elites,” as he headlines the British squad at the European cyclocross championships.
The Brit, who stepped up from the under-23 level this season, is the only home rider contesting the elite Euros in Silvelle Italy on Saturday and Sunday (November 9-10) as Britain isn't fielding a rider in the elite women’s race.
Instead, British Cycling will focus on the women’s U23 race, where Anna Kay will star after her third place finish in the Bern World Cup round last month.
Pidcock, the reigning elite British champion and under-23 world champion, has been fighting at the front of elite races this season resulting in a number of podium places, but he is yet to find victory at the highest level.
The 20-year-old said: “Last season was brilliant for me, winning both the under-23 European and world titles, so this season I set myself the challenge to really push myself by riding against the elites.
“It’s certainly a step up, but I’m pleased with how my training and racing has been going and I’m really excited to have the support of a great team in Trinity Racing.
“The hard work by all has given me the extra incentive to perform.”
Pidcock is racing as part of a rebranded team this cyclocross season, now riding under the Trinity Racing banner, formerly TP racing.
The team change also coincided with Pidcock’s focus on elite level racing in Europe, where he has so far claimed four podium spots from his eight races.
Cyclocross co-ordinator for the Great Britain Cycling Team, Matt Ellis, said: “The team we are taking to the European championships this year is hugely competitive and we can expect to see them all challenging for the podium in their respective races.
“Anna Kay comes to the European championships carrying good form having finished in third place in the elite women’s race at the Bern round of the World Cup series, so she should put in a strong performance in the under-23 field.
“It’s great to see Tom stepping up into the elite men’s category. He was physically very strong coming into the season, thanks to a successful season on the road where he won bronze in the World Championships among other achievements, and technically he’s improving race by race.
“He’s already showing he’s in the mix for a medal at this level, and I’m really looking forward to seeing him get stuck in at the European championships.”
Kay will be joined by Hattie Harnden and Katie Scott in the U23 women’s race, while Cameron Mason, Thomas Mein, Ben Turner and Ben Tulett will fight it out in the men’s U23 event.
>>> Mathieu van der Poel could make Grand Tour debut in 2020
This year marks a milestone in the women’s category as a junior race is introduced for the first time, with Millie Couzans, Anna Flynn and Josie Nelson all flying the flag.
Ellis added: “For the junior women in particular, this race is a big deal for them as it’s the first year they have their own separate category, so they are all excited for the race.
“In the junior men’s category, all four riders have done well on the domestic scene so far this season, so it’ll be good to see where they are at against international competition when they race in Italy.”
In the junior men’s event, Corran Carrick-Anderson, Rory McGuire, Oli Stockwell and Simon Wyllie will represent GB.
Great Britain Cycling Team for UEC Cyclocross European Championships
Elite men
Tom Pidcock
Under-23 men
Cameron Mason
Thomas Mein
Ben Turner
Ben Tulett
Under-23 women
Hattie Harnden
Anna Kay
Katie Scott
Junior men
Corran Carrick-Anderson
Rory McGuire
Oli Stockwell
Simon Wyllie
Junior women
Millie Couzans
Anna Flynn
Josie Nelson
Thank you for reading 20 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access
Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription
Join now for unlimited access
Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
Alex Ballinger is editor of BikeBiz magazine, the leading publication for the UK cycle industry, and is the former digital news editor for CyclingWeekly.com. After gaining experience in local newsrooms, national newspapers and in digital journalism, Alex found his calling in cycling, first as a reporter, then as news editor responsible for Cycling Weekly's online news output, and now as the editor of BikeBiz. Since pro cycling first captured his heart during the 2010 Tour de France (specifically the Contador-Schleck battle) Alex covered three Tours de France, multiple editions of the Tour of Britain, and the World Championships, while both writing and video presenting for Cycling Weekly. He also specialises in fitness writing, often throwing himself into the deep end to help readers improve their own power numbers. Away from the desk, Alex can be found racing time trials, riding BMX and mountain bikes, or exploring off-road on his gravel bike. He’s also an avid gamer, and can usually be found buried in an eclectic selection of books.
-
-
Back from bankruptcy, Mavic opens new facility in Vermont, teases new product
In addition to re-establishing sales in North America, the historic brand will release new wheels in the coming months
By Anne-Marije Rook Published
-
Neilson Powless on Saving Road Racing in America, Polka Dots and Parenthood
American Neilson Powless talks us through his 2023 Tour de France, preparing for parenthood and his goals for next season and beyond
By Tyler Boucher Published
-
Watch: Cyclo-cross rider snaps dislocated finger back into place mid-race
Michael van den Ham said his finger was at "the grossest 45-degree angle"
By Tom Davidson Published
-
17-year-old CX rider ‘catapulted’ into layby by tractor scores top ten finish at national champs
Raph Tabiner from Warrington nearly gave up racing all together after shocking incident
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Wout van Aert and Mathieu van der Poel deserve big CX appearance fees, says British champ
British national champion says Wout van Aert and Mathieu van der Poel receive high appearance fees for a reason
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Zoe Bäckstedt obliterates all competition to become British female national cyclocross champion
After overcoming a difficult start, Cameron Mason destroyed the field to take the men’s title
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
From learning to read again to racing Wout van Aert: Ben Frederick's journey to the top of cyclo-cross
The American suffered a traumatic brain injury in 2016, but has refound his love for cycling and has ridden some elite CX races this winter
By Adam Becket Published
-
Wout van Aert wins round 12 of the Men's Cyclocross World Cup in the Zonhoven sandpit
The early stages suggested it was going to be a battle between the top four, but Van Aert went clear and never looked back
By Jack Elton-Walters Published
-
Shirin van Anrooij wins Zonhoven round of the Cyclocross World Cup
Shirin van Anrooij was simply the best rider on the day as she coped best with the sandy course
By Jack Elton-Walters Published
-
Wout van Aert claims most dominant cyclo-cross win of the season at X20 Trofee Koksijde
The Belgian mastered the sand ruts to beat Mathieu van der Poel by over a minute and a half
By Tom Davidson Published