Tom Pidcock signs off for season with first MTB XCO win as world champion
Ineos Grenadiers rider won his second MTB XCO World Cup race of the season at Mont-Sainte-Anne, Canada
Tom Pidcock signed his mountain bike season off with a first win in the rainbow jersey at Mont-Sainte-Anne, Quebec, Canada, on Sunday.
The Ineos Grenadiers rider won the Cross-Country Olympic race (XCO) in front of Mathias Flückiger (Thömus Maxon) and Marcel Guerrini (Bixs Performance), his second World Cup XCO win of the season, and his first since he won the World Championships in Glasgow in August.
Meanwhile, Nino Schurter (Scott-SRAM) secured his ninth overall XCO World Cup title with 14th place. The six laps of the Québécois course were affected by wet weather, which meant riders were even more reliant than usual on their bike handling skills; multiple mechanical issues also dominated the race.
“I tried to make as little mistakes as possible but also conserve the bike because Mathias was flying down the descents like a mad man, but he also punctured twice,” Pidcock said post-race.
Flückiger was initially in the lead, but Pidcock battled past and in the end had a 26-second gap on the Swiss rider; Guerrini was a further minute back.
“I was pretty motivated to win in this jersey before the end of the year," Pidcock said. "But this week was difficult, it has been a long season. I was tired, it was a bit of a struggle.”
The 24-year-old's cyclo-cross season ended in January, before he switched to the road at the Volta ao Algarve in February; in between road races from Strade Bianche to the Tour de France, he has also raced at eight different MTB events from April to October. It's not known when his cyclo-cross season will restart, but he was clear that this was the end of his 2023 for now.
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
“That’s it, I’m going on holiday now. Normally on the last lap I’d go full gas, but today I couldn’t be arsed," Pidcock said.
"I was pretty motivated to win in this jersey," he continued. "This week was difficult. It’s been a long season, I was tired and this was a bit of a struggle. I was feeling it, but you just have to keep a solid head.
"We’ve had quite a few battles to be honest. The Olympics [Fluckiger] was chasing me down for an hour. Here he kept me under pressure. I made a few mistakes – I kind of let him lead, I didn’t want to fight him in the descents. I didn’t mind that he was in front. But then when he made a mistake I fell off a rock. That’s when he got the gap with two laps to go."
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
Adam is Cycling Weekly’s news editor – his greatest love is road racing but as long as he is cycling on tarmac, he's happy. Before joining Cycling Weekly he spent two years writing for Procycling, where he interviewed riders and wrote about racing. He's usually out and about on the roads of Bristol and its surrounds. Before cycling took over his professional life, he covered ecclesiastical matters at the world’s largest Anglican newspaper and politics at Business Insider. Don't ask how that is related to cycling.
-
Tweets of the week: Pogačar can be beaten, Pidcock meets the royals, and Remco's an Arsenal fan
Sadly for Tadej Pogačar, serial winning doesn't seem to apply to go karting
By Tom Davidson Published
-
Friday roundup: Rapha does sportswear, Oakley meets PNS and Restrap makes a vest
Two new clothing lines, some hi-tech smart glasses and a hydration vest to inspire you to ride further
By Luke Friend Published
-
Giro d'Italia 2024 start list: Geraint Thomas to lead 'aggressive' Ineos Grenadiers
All the teams and riders for the 107th Giro d'Italia
By Adam Becket Published
-
'It was time to change': No regrets for Rod Ellingworth after leaving Ineos Grenadiers
New Tour of Britain race director says he is still on good terms with Dave Brailsford after resigning from team last year
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
‘It’s a completely different beast’ - Tom Pidcock happy with top 20 finish after ‘epic’ Paris-Roubaix debut
British rider was unable to grip his handlebars properly in the finale as the last cobbled sectors arrived
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
'I’m just here to enjoy it': Tom Pidcock on his surprise Paris-Roubaix appearance
British rider was a late addition to the Ineos Grenadiers team for the race across the pavé
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Tom Pidcock to ride Paris-Roubaix, days after Itzulia crash
'I recovered really quick,' says Brit ahead of senior debut in race he won as an under-23 and junior
By Tom Davidson Published
-
Tom Pidcock unable to bear weight on right leg after Itzulia Basque Country crash
British rider crashed during recon of opening stage time trial last weekend and injured his right hip
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
The art of peaking with Geraint Thomas: 'It’s easy to take for granted that 9 times out of 10 I hit my goals'
The Welshman also calls for better governance in the sport to help it grow further
By Chris Marshall-Bell Published
-
Ineos Grenadiers’ 500th victory was claimed by a woman; why do they still not have a team?
The British squad is one of the richest in cycling - but Ineos still won’t stump up for a women’s team
By Adam Becket Published