Tom Pidcock on Val di Sole snow: 'A good start to get cyclocross towards the Winter Olympics'
The Brit finished third in picturesque scenes in Italy

Tom Pidcock says the snowy scenes of the Val di Sole cyclocross World Cup round were a good start to getting the discipline into the Winter Olympics.
Should the sport eventually make its way into the Games, it would give Pidcock, who won gold in mountain biking this summer in Tokyo, the chance to join a very select group of athletes who have won medals at both summer and winter competitions.
But back to Italy, where Pidcock managed third in his first podium of the season, only his second cyclocross race back after seventh at the Telenet Superprestige Boom last week.
“We made a lot of mistakes in the final,” Pidcock said of his tussle with Eli Iserbyt, who he managed to hold off to seal third, the Belgian finishing 16 seconds behind the Brit in fourth place. "It was really tricky and technical, but I tried to stay as focused as possible.
>>> Burger King to sponsor men's professional team in 2022
"It works very well," he continued of the snow, which had been purposefully maintained to showcase to the International Olympic Committee the sport's suitability to join the roster of sports that make up the Winter Games. "The snow is very different from what we are all used to. It's a good start to get cyclocross towards the Winter Games."
Pidcock has noticed his improvement already despite his cyclocross season being less than 10 days old and steadily he'll ride himself into top form, already looking forward to the return of the mud next weekend in Namur in the next World Cup round.
“I hope I'll be good next weekend. Last week I was seventh, and now third. I think I'm finding my legs again," he estimated.
"Do I already have my top form? I don't know, but it will be fine. I'm looking forward to the mud, because that's more my thing and I prefer it to snow and sand.”
Thank you for reading 5 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
Hi. I'm Cycling Weekly's Weekend Editor. I like writing offbeat features and eating too much bread when working out on the road at bike races.
Before joining Cycling Weekly I worked at The Tab and I've also written for Vice, Time Out, and worked freelance for The Telegraph (I know, but I needed the money at the time so let me live).
I also worked for ITV Cycling between 2011-2018 on their Tour de France and Vuelta a España coverage. Sometimes I'd be helping the producers make the programme and other times I'd be getting the lunches. Just in case you were wondering - Phil Liggett and Paul Sherwen had the same ham sandwich every day, it was great.
-
-
Inside the first Global Bike Festival: Road, gravel and mountain biking come together in the Austrian Alps
Cycling Weekly was there to find out why hundreds of people travelled to Austria with their bikes for a weekend
By Adam Becket • Published
-
Should cyclists be worried about skin damage? All you need to know about protecting yourself from harmful rays
As high summer approaches, promising long hours of sun-drenched cycling, here’s what you need to know about the dangers posed by the sun and how to reduce the risk
By Chris Marshall-Bell • Published
-
London to host 2022-23 Cyclocross World Cup
The announcement raises the possibility of van der Poel, Van Aert and Vos making a winter appearance in London.
By Tom Thewlis • Published
-
Covid threatens to disrupt Tour de France line-up
Virus sweeps through the peloton at key preparation races with Tour de Suisse race leader Vlasov forced to abandon
By Tom Thewlis • Published
-
'Maybe we need to lose a few races so we don’t get too confident' - are Ineos Grenadiers the form Classics team?
Brabantse Pijl performance saw the team win race for second year in a row, with three in top five
By Adam Becket • Published
-
Tom Pidcock: 'Of course I want to try to win the Tour de France'
After signing new contract with Ineos Grenadiers, British rider says he can lead wave of young riders at team
By Adam Becket • Published
-
Tom Pidcock signs new five-year contract with Ineos Grenadiers
Deal will see British world cyclocross champion stay at Ineos until at least 2027
By Adam Becket • Published
-
Tom Pidcock's stomach problems could impact his Classics season
Ineos Grenadier rider failed to make the final of his second Milan-San Remo on Saturday
By Adam Becket • Published
-
Tom Pidcock and Ethan Hayter lead Ineos Grenadiers squad for Omloop Het Nieuwsblad
British team names strong lineup for first Classic of the season
By Adam Becket • Published
-
Tom Pidcock obliterates all competition to claim cyclocross world title
The Brit emerged victorious in Fayetteville after putting the rest of the field to the sword
By Jonny Long • Published