INEOS Grenadiers (France) - Press Release: Tom Pidcock wins Gold in Paris

Tom Pidcock rode to a spectacular victory in the Paris Mountain Bike race to defend his title and claim his second Gold medal in the event.

After a conservative start, Tom wove his way forward, completing the first of eight laps in fourth overall. Maintaining his high pace, he was quickly into third, before a fierce acceleration on lap three saw the Yorkshireman go clear with Victor Koretzky of France.

As Tom continued to put the pressure on at the front of the pack, disaster struck. A front-wheel puncture threatened to end his race. Fortunately, it happened within metres of the pits, and Tom was quickly in, and - with bike swaps not allowed - getting a wheel change.

Pidcock would leave the pits some 35 seconds down on the now-solo Koretzky and start the chase back on. Initially, the gap remained steady, but the World Champion judged his effort to perfection, catching the Frenchman on the final lap. 

The Yorkshireman attempted to shake his opponent on the main climb of the course, but was unable to do so. Then, Koretzky countered into the descent, putting distance between the pair. A mistake on the twisting descent would see Tom catch back up, and a sprint finish looked likely.

That was until Pidcock took an alternative line through a tree-lined, root-filled section of the course. The move put him shoulder to shoulder with the Frenchman, but Tom came out on top. Koretzky lost his momentum, and the World Champion would cross the line solo, winning the Gold medal by nine seconds.

"This week, with the build-up to the Olympics, so many things go through your head. Emotions and scenarios. By the time you get on the start line you’re a bit knackered as it is", Tom Pidcock.