Rainbow jersey win eludes Tom Pidcock, despite plucky fightback in Overijse
The Ineos Grenadiers rider dug deep to take second in the Belgian cyclocross classic
- (opens in new tab)
- (opens in new tab)
- (opens in new tab)
- Sign up to our newsletter Newsletter

Cyclocross world champion Tom Pidcock staged a gritty performance in this afternoon's World Cup event in Overijse, fighting back from a mechanical to take second place.
The Brit lost out to European champion Michael Vanthourenhout (Pauwels Sauzen-Bingoal) by just three seconds in his second race of the season, bowing his head in frustration as he came across the line.
The race started disastrously for Pidcock. As the bunch came into the first corner, the rainbow jersey was nowhere to be seen, having fallen victim to a bike issue on the start line.
The 23-year-old, however, clawed his way up through the field, and despite nursing a long-term knee injury, soon found himself alone at the front of the race with Vanthourenhout.
On the penultimate lap, Pidcock accelerated ahead, but a crash on a muddy cobbled section caused him to lose valuable seconds to the Belgian. The Brit went for broke on the final lap, but ultimately had to settle for second.
On Saturday, Pidcock eased into his cyclocross campaign with a seventh place at the Merksplas Superprestige, his first race since winning the World Championships in January.
“It was beetje moeilijk (a bit difficult),” Pidcock said after Saturday's race. “On the corners I was losing so much time. My level was OK, but I was losing time in a lot of places.”
The world champion took a tumble on the technical Merksplas course, before crossing the line almost a minute and a half behind race winner Laurens Sweeck.
“It was maybe not the best race to start with,” the Ineos Grenadiers rider said. “There were just a few too many mistakes, but I’m happy. I was not bad."
Looking ahead to the rest of the season, he added: “To win in this jersey would be nice.”
Earlier this week, Pidcock hinted that he would not defend his cyclocross world title next year in Hoogerheide, Netherlands.
“The road season is so much more important to me,” he told Belgian publication Het Nieuwsblad. “In 2023, I especially want to perform consistently in those spring Monuments. If I succeed, the results will follow.”
The UCI Cyclocross World Championships will be held on 4-5 February 2023, three weeks before the road calendar's ‘Opening Weekend’ at Omloop Het Nieuwsblad.
Thank you for reading 10 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
Tom is one of Cycling Weekly's news and features writers. In 2020, he started The TT Podcast, covering both the men's and women's pelotons and featuring a number of British riders.
An enthusiastic cyclist himself, Tom likes it most when the road goes uphill and actively seeks out double-figure gradients on his rides.
He's also fluent in French and Spanish and holds a master's degree in International Journalism.
-
-
Strength in numbers: How Jumbo-Visma and SD Worx have bossed the run-up to Tour of Flanders
The Dutch super-teams are dominating the Classics, making it look easy. With so many options, can they be stopped?
By Adam Becket • Published
-
Tailfin Top Tube Pack review - the all new range has been a resounding success
if you're fussy about details, this could one for you
By Stefan Abram • Published
-
Opinion: Alpe d’Huez was masterful, but Strade Bianche win was Tom Pidcock’s finest yet
The stunning victory forged in the dust of Monte Sante Marie firmly eclipsed last summer's Tour de France stage winning glory
By Tom Thewlis • Published
-
'That was not the plan' - Inside Tom Pidcock's stunning solo victory at Strade Bianche
Cyclo-cross skills, strength, and a lack of cohesion in chasing group helps 23-year-old to become first British man to win
By Adam Becket • Published
-
Eight riders to watch in the men's Strade Bianche 2023
Wout van Aert sits out due to illness, opening the door for a potentially new winner in the Piazza del Campo
By Tom Thewlis • Published
-
Tom Pidcock: 'It won’t be difficult to beat my 2022 Classics results'
Ineos Grenadiers' multi-format star ready for central role in one-day racing this Spring
By Adam Becket • 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
-
‘Cyclo-cross can’t exist with just three riders’ - Sven Nys on CX appearance fee disparity
Some CX riders reportedly forced to race for free due to large appearance fees handed to Tom Pidcock, Mathieu van der Poel and Wout van Aert
By Tom Thewlis • Published
-
Sven Nys says Tom Pidcock skipping cyclo-cross World title defence ‘makes sense’
‘An effort to win in Hoogerheide will cost so much’ says Belgian cyclocross legend on a course that favours Pidcock's rivals
By Tom Thewlis • Published
-
In celebration of Peter Sagan, cycling's rock and roll frontman
As the three-time world champion is set to call time on his career in the WorldTour at the end of 2023, we thought we would take a look back at the glory days
By Tom Thewlis • Published