The first of the big three is back in the racing action. Cyclocross world champion Tom Pidcock (Ineos Grenadiers) celebrated his start to the cyclocross season last weekend. It was his first appearance in the rainbow jersey since the World Cup victory in January 2022 in Fayetteville, USA. On Saturday, the 23-year-old competed in the Superprestige event in Merksplas, where Pidcock finished seventh after starting difficulties and a crash on the technical course. After his debut in the Cyclocross season 2022/23 said the British cycling all-rounder: "There were just a few too many mistakes, but I'm satisfied."
Cyclocross World Cup debut: Crash prevents Pidcock comeback victory in Overijse
On Sunday, Tom Pidcock, who was at the Tour de France 2022 the prestigious Alpe d'Huez stage then competed in the UCI Cyclo Cross World Cup in Overijse. There, Pidcock's chain fell off immediately after the start and the Briton found himself at the back of the field in 43rd position. However, the super talent then impressively demonstrated that he is one of the absolute world leaders in the three cycling disciplines of MTB, road and cyclocross. With plenty of power and even better bike control, Pidcock manoeuvred his Pinarello Crossista F bike in the world champion design through the entire field of riders.
Within one lap, Pidcock rode up to third place, leaving many first-class cyclocross specialists such as Thibau Nys and Lars van der Haar standing almost effortlessly. Pidcock continued to plough through the deep mud and the technically demanding World Cup course in Overijse and finally took the lead on lap three. The final third of the race then saw a duel between the European champion Michael Vanthourenhout and the world champion. On the penultimate lap, Pidcock crashed on a cobbled section. Vanthourenhout capitalised on this opportunity and was able to hold on to a three-second lead at the finish. It was the first World Cup victory of the season for European cyclocross champion Vanthourenhout. Cyclocross world champion Pidcock had to settle for second place. But the competition should now know: Pidcock is back.
Soon van der Poel and van Aert back in cyclocross racing
The other two super all-rounders alongside Tom Pidcock will also soon be making their debut in cyclo-cross racing this season. Mathieu van der Poel has announced that he will make his comeback off-road at the UCI Cyclo Cross World Cup in Hulst on 27 November 2022. Below is the cyclo-cross calendar of Mathieu van der Poel's Team Alpecin-Deceuninck for the 2022/2023 season.
At this point, you will find external content that complements the article. You can display and hide it with a click.
Belgian road and cyclocross star Wout van Aert will start his 2022/2023 cyclocross season on 4 December at the UCI World Cup stop in Antwerp. However, Van Aert has already told a Belgian newspaper that his main goal this season will clearly be the Cyclocross World Championships on 5 February 2023 in Hoogerheide.
At this point, you will find external content that complements the article. You can display and hide it with a click.
