Sport in brief
his trademark Superman celebration at the end of cyclocross races.
“I don’t just want to be known by what I have won, but like Sagan I want to be known as Tom Pidcock, you know? I want to be somebody that people want to watch because I’m entertaining. Having fun on the bike is the most important thing,” he says. “You’ve got to be happy and to be happy you have got to have fun. That can inspire people as well. Nobody is inspired by somebody who is boring, are they?” Pidcock’s future plans, whatever they are, remain on the back-burner for now. Today’s World Championships may not be the end of his season of traipsing through the mud, sand and other obstacles, but it offers Pidcock the perfect opportunity to reflect on a maiden campaign riding with the big boys. “You think you can ride super fast, but then after joining the elites you realise that everybody is just as fast,” he said. “The level is really high and it’s difficult, but I’ve learnt lots. I can sit on wheels better now.”
If Pidcock can hold the wheel of Mathieu van der Poel, another he calls an idol, in Dubendorf today, then he stands a good chance of achieving a top-three place. Though given the Dutchman has won all five World Cup races he entered this season and goes into the event as the overriding favourite, that may be tough.
“When I was a junior he was the elite world [cyclocross] champion and I sort of looked up to him,” Pidcock said. “So racing against him is a bit weird. I’m trying to race him but at the same time I still want to be him because I’m still a fan.”
But can the unstoppable force that is Van der Poel be toppled? “Of course he can be beaten, yes,” smiles Pidcock.
Tom Pidcock is a Red Bull Athlete. More information at www.redbull.com/ int-en /discover
Rugby League
Steve McNamara hopes controversial signing Israel Folau can plug some gaps in defence after Catalans Dragons lost 32-12 to Huddersfield in the first round of the Super League season. Folau is due to arrive from Australia this week, having been sacked Down Under for homophobic comments. “Another outside back is going to be good for us,” McNamara said. “We’re down there at the moment with Lewis Tierney out and Tom Davies. Brayden Wiliame has left, so we’re a bit short.”
Hockey
Britain’s men and women started their FIH Pro League campaigns in thrilling fashion against Australia in Sydney, but neither side were able to pick up an opening-day victory. The men drew 4-4 with the world’s No1 team, having led 4-2, while the women conceded a last-minute goal in a 2- defeat.
Cycling
Millie Couzens finished fourth in the women’s junior race at the Cyclo-Cross World Championships yesterday. She was one of three Britons in the top 10, with Evie Richards sixth in the elite women’s race and Cameron Mason eighth in the men’s under-23 event.