12 May 2023
Pidcock wins Nove Mesto short track
Related riders
Tom Pidcock
Tom Pidcock got his UCI Mountain Bike World Cup season off to the perfect start with victory in the short track race in Nove Mesto na Morave.
The Brit came from 40th and last in the field to win his first elite short track race with a perfectly measured performance in the Czech Republic.
Pidcock took his time in the opening laps, but by half-way through the 20-minute race he was up into the top 10 mix. On the final lap he timed his efforts perfectly, taking the lead on the downhill run into the decisive final corner. In the sprint he was able to see off short track world champion Sam Gaze and Luca Schwarzbauer to take the win.
The victory saw Pidcock pull on the short track World Cup leader's jersey, a feat he will be looking to replicate in Sunday's XCO event.
Pauline Ferrand-Prevot also got off to a great start with fourth place in rainy conditions. The world champion was part of a five-rider sprint to the line, and comfortably booked her place on the front row for Sunday's XCO full length race.
Pidcock took his time in the opening laps, but by half-way through the 20-minute race he was up into the top 10 mix. On the final lap he timed his efforts perfectly, taking the lead on the downhill run into the decisive final corner. In the sprint he was able to see off short track world champion Sam Gaze and Luca Schwarzbauer to take the win.
The victory saw Pidcock pull on the short track World Cup leader's jersey, a feat he will be looking to replicate in Sunday's XCO event.
Pauline Ferrand-Prevot also got off to a great start with fourth place in rainy conditions. The world champion was part of a five-rider sprint to the line, and comfortably booked her place on the front row for Sunday's XCO full length race.
Reaction
- Tom Pidcock
"I only found out I was racing at 3pm, having already done a three and a half hour training ride this morning. So yeah it does [make victory sweeter].
- Tom Pidcock
"I only found out I was racing at 3pm, having already done a three and a half hour training ride this morning. So yeah it does [make victory sweeter].
"I always like racing here – I’ve been second in the short track here before, so it’s nice to win one finally.
"I was not really stressed at the start. I’d rather start a bit further back and give myself a bit of space. I also didn’t want to crash today – I’ve crashed in short track before and it can ruin the weekend. I was just trying to stay out of trouble. The first guy into this finishing straight was going to win."
