Tom Pidcock returned to Nov\u00e9 M\u011bsto na Morav\u011b and did what he always does there: he won.<\/p>\n
The legendary British rider left the elite men\u2019s field behind early on. He led for the rest of the race, eventually claiming his fifth career XCO victory at the iconic Czech venue. If you check out his MTB stats, they\u2019re unbelievable: it\u2019s his 12th podium in 13 career XCO starts<\/p>\n
France\u2019s Luca Martin refused to let Pidcock relax though. Martin repeatedly clawed some time back, and in lap six he was only five seconds behind. he eventually took second place, 18 seconds behind Pidcock.<\/p>\n
Filippo Colombo took the final spot on the podium.<\/p>\n
Pidcock pushed all race<\/p>\n
Pidcock admitted afterward that the race was harder than he made it look.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat was the hardest one I\u2019ve done,\u201d he said. \u201cI didn\u2019t make it easy for myself.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Brit said he probably pushed too hard early before Martin briefly moved ahead during the opening laps.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen Luca went in front, I knew that was the point,\u201d Pidcock said. \u201cEveryone was kind of showing themselves a little bit and I thought I would test the water.\u201d<\/p>\n
But Nov\u00e9 M\u011bsto\u2019s rough descents and constantly changing conditions made it difficult to fully relax.<\/p>\n
\u201cLuca was pushing me all the way,\u201d he said. \u201cI had to kick again a few times. Not easy.\u201d<\/p>\n
Pidcock also admitted he rode cautiously on the descents while trying to avoid punctures as riders across the field shredded tires throughout the race.<\/p>\n
\u201cI was losing so much time on the descents,\u201d he said. \u201cI really wanted to make sure I didn\u2019t have any punctures or anything.\u201d<\/p>\n
The victory came despite Pidcock saying he still does not feel completely dialled on the mountain bike after focusing heavily on road racing.<\/p>\n
\u201cMy fitness is good,\u201d he said. \u201cBut when I haven\u2019t done any races, I need to be a bit more cautious.\u201d<\/p>\n
Pidcock also hinted he could race more mountain bike World Cups later this season, including a possible appearance in North America before the road world championships in Canada.<\/p>\n
Martin nearly closes the gap<\/p>\n
Martin might not have won, but the young French rider delivered arguably the ride of the day. The Cannondale Factory Racing chased Pidcock with everything he had.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m here for the win,\u201d Martin said. \u201cI don\u2019t care who was on the front. I just wanted to smash the race. In the middle of the race I had 40 minutes and I felt dead,\u201d he said. \u201cAnd I\u2019m like, \u2018Come on boy, we go.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n
He kept charging.<\/p>\n
\u201cEvery time it was a small downhill, it was so nice,\u201d he said. \u201cI try to enjoy it because I like to ride my bike.\u201d<\/p>\n
Colombo survives chaos for third<\/p>\n
Colombo also had a strong race.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe first two were just a level above us,\u201d Colombo said. \u201cBut we managed our race.\u201d<\/p>\n
The podium also marked a breakthrough result for Colombo at a venue where he has historically struggled.<\/p>\n
\u201cI love this place,\u201d he said. \u201cBut somehow I could never perform so well here in cross-country. Today finally pieces came together.\u201d<\/p>\n
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