Tom Pidcock delivered a masterclass in race management and showed why he is one of the best mountain bike racers around, as he powered to victory in the opening round of the UCI XCC World Cup. The 2023 UCI Mountain Bike season began in a damp and rainy Nové Město in the Czech Republic with the Olympic gold medallist officially riding the newly unveiled Pinarello Dogma XC mountain bike, having ridden the prototype version of the unreleased Pinarello MTB, along with his teammate World Champion Pauline Ferrand-Prévot in the last few weeks.
Pidcock had only decided to race a few hours before the race started after Ondrej Cink had dropped out, freeing up a place for Pidcock who was placed at the back of the pack for the fast and furious cross-country mountain bike racing format. Pidcock remained around the back of the pack for the majority of the race and with just two laps remaining, the Briton was still 22nd and he never looked like he was going to threaten his rivals at the front. However, Pidcock wouldn't allow himself to be denied the win and out of nowhere, he appeared, having saved his best 'til last. The Ineos grenadier rider was fired up as he crossed the line with an emphatic celebration, New Zealander, Samuel Gaze would have to settle for second place as he tried but couldn't match Pidcock in the sprint, with German, Luca Schwartzbauer rounding out the podium.
