Tom Pidcock powers to Tokyo 2020 Olympic gold in mountain bike event
The 21-year-old claims the first cycling medal for Team GB


Tom Pidcock dominated the field in the Tokyo 2020 Olympic men’s mountain bike event, taking the first cycling gold for Team GB.
The MTB race, held on Monday (July 26) was fought on the challenging Izu MTB Course, over 4km laps with around 180 metres of elevation gain.
The race distance came to 28.25km, after seven full laps of the course.
After holding his position in the lead group in the opening section of the race, Pidcock launched his decisive attack, powering clear of Switzerland’s Mathias Flückiger.
Meanwhile pre-race favourite Mathieu van der Poel suffered a huge crash in the big rock section of the course, going over the bars and eventually abandoning the race due to his injuries.
After just over one hour and 20 minutes of racing, Pidcock crossed the line with a 20-second gap to Flückiger.
How it happened
Pidcock started the race with a gap to close immediately as he wasn't in the front row of the grid, but he had already powered his way up towards the front by the first turn and onto the first climb he was into the top-10.
After the first lap, Pidcock had made it into an elite 15-rider group, which also featured Mathieu van der Poel (Netherlands) and Mathias Flückiger (Switzerland).
Van der Poel's crash was the next decisive moment of the race just 10 minutes after the start, as he made a mistake on the rock drop and went over the bars.
Pidcock had been on Van der Poel's wheel going off the drop, but managed to avoid his rival and press on in the leading group.
Van der Poel got back on the bike, but was never in contention again and eventually abandoned.
After 20 minutes of racing, it was Nino Schurter (Switzerland) who led the race, with Pidcock still in the leading group.
>>> Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games cycling schedule: when to watch the racing
The Yorkshireman's attack then came 44-minutes into the race as he was able to distance Flückiger and Schurter.
Pidcock would not be seen again by his rivals, continuing to ride away and crossing the line alone, with a time of 1-25-14, Flückiger 20 seconds behind claiming silver, and Spain's David Valero Serrano finishing in the bronze medal spot, 34 seconds behind the winner.
Tokyo 2020 Olympics, men's mountain bike (28.25km)
1. Tom Pidcock (GBr), in 1-25-14
2. Mathias Flückiger (Sui), at 20s
3. David Serrano Valer (Esp), at 34s
4. Nino Schurter (Sui), at 42s
5. Victor Koretzky (Fran), at 46s
6. Anton Cooper (Nzl), at same time
7. Vlad Dascalu (Rou), at 49s
8. Alan Hatherly (RSA), at 1-19
9. Jordan Sarrou (Fra), at 1-36
10. Milan Vader Ned), at 2-07
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
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.
-
-
“That was f***king hard!” Annemiek van Vleuten reacts after winning stage four of the Giro Donne
The Dutch rider warns that she is not in her best shape yet after arriving at the race from an altitude camp.
By Owen Rogers • Published
-
The best 4th of July cycling deals
Save big on apparel, accessories, tools with these 4th of July cycling deals!
By Cycling Weekly • 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 on Val di Sole snow: 'A good start to get cyclocross towards the Winter Olympics'
The Brit finished third in picturesque scenes in Italy
By Jonny Long • Published