Pidcock outshines big names with ‘incredible’ world silver medal
Dutchman Mathieu van der Poel won his third successive title at the UCI Cyclo-cross World Championships in Dubendorf, Switzerland, yesterday, but it was Tom Pidcock’s magnificent ride into second place that was the story of the day.
Few were surprised to see favourite Van der Poel ride the field off his wheel before gaining an unassailable lead. Having won all five World Cup races he has started this season, the 25-year-old eventually won the third senior rainbow jersey of his career, crossing the line 1min 20sec ahead of Pidcock.
After last week telling The Daily Telegraph he had been targeting a top-five finish, Pidcock, 20, said: “I’m second-best in the world of cyclo-cross today. I would say I’m second-best in the world but sometimes I’m not.
“It’s unreal. Mathieu is one of the best in the world. I was second to him today. That’s incredible.
“I could have made it an easy time for myself by racing in the under23s this season, but I’ve come to ride with the elites and I got on to the podium. It’s really pleasing.”
Pidcock, who was outnumbered at one point by five Belgians including the World Cup winner, Toon Aerts, and three-time world champion Wout van Aert, made his move at midway and powered on through the mud.
The Yorkshireman, who has been courted by a number of world cycling’s top road teams, was able to take his time and the applause from the appreciative crowd as he claimed the best result of his season, finishing
25 sec ahead of Aerts, while Van Aert, who had a late puncture, was a further 19sec back in fourth.