Tom Pidcock crashes bike and topples over handlebars as he surrenders lead

880     0
British cycling star Tom Pidcock crashed his bike and went over the safety netting (Image: Eurosport)
British cycling star Tom Pidcock crashed his bike and went over the safety netting (Image: Eurosport)

Cycling star Tom Pidcock had a moment to forget as he crashed his bike and toppled over the handlebars while leading the GP Sven Nys cyclo-cross race in Belgium.

The cyclo-cross world champion had a slender lead of around 10 seconds when the crash happened on a slippery section of the course. The 23-year-old, from Yorkshire, was sent flying towards the crowd at high-speed before being halted by some rope and safety netting which got tangled with his leg and bike.

Belgian rider and one of Pidcock's long-term rivals Eli Iserbyt took full advantage of the crash to win the race ahead of team-mate Michael Vanthourenhout, while clearly in pain Pidcock limped over the line in third.

Pidcock had taken the lead early in the race, watched by 6,200 spectators, but was put under pressure throughout by the Belgian chasers. The Ineos Grenadiers who is Olympic Games mountain bike champion described the high-speed crash as 'stupid'.

"I'm a little bit shaken, it was a stupid crash," said Pidcock talking to Eurosport after the race.

Olympic champ suspended after asking if he should shoot new Brazil president eiqkiktiqehinvOlympic champ suspended after asking if he should shoot new Brazil president

"I hope it was on television at least. I was not feeling very good today but I wanted to try and make a fast last lap. So I was trying to go a little bit faster everywhere. Obviously, this is a dangerous section so that was not the best idea."

Tom Pidcock crashes bike and topples over handlebars as he surrenders leadTom Pidcock was catapulted into the crowd after losing control of his bike (Eurosport)

The treacherous pump track section of the course resulted in several competitors crashing during in the men's and women's race. With victory in his sight Pidcock took some air after jumping over one mud mound before losing control.

Pidcock was asked if his small jump before losing control led to the crash? The British star replied: "Maybe.

"When you're going that fast it's sometimes easier to jump rather than stay on the floor. I wasn't being stupid or anything - I was thinking about doing a whip but I thought maybe not.

Tom Pidcock crashes bike and topples over handlebars as he surrenders leadTom Pidcock won gold in the men’s cross country mountain bike race at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games (PA)

Pidcock quickly got back on his bike but struggled to get back going and was helpless as Iserbyt made his late winning move. The world champion's leg was cut as a result of the crash and Vanthourenhout also beat the Brit for second.

"I tried," added Pidock. "It was not bad but my leg is pretty bruised now so we will see. The cut is not the problem but the bruise underneath, I'll see how it is later. At the moment I'm full of adrenaline still."

Benjamin Goddard

Olympic Games, Eurosport, UCI Cyclo-cross World Championship, Cycling, Sven Nys

Read more similar news:

02.02.2023, 13:37 • Sport
Latvia could join Ukraine in Paris Olympics boycott over Russia plans
02.02.2023, 17:45 • Sport
Andriy Shevchenko insists 'war is not over' in call for Russian Olympic ban
06.02.2023, 12:21 • Sport
Olympic champion's urgent plea as '30-40 wrestlers' trapped in Turkey earthquake
07.02.2023, 17:57 • Sport
Team GB Oympian has car broken into as family make plea to find training gear
04.01.2023, 17:20 • Sport
Chris Froome gets shot at fifth Tour de France as team is handed wildcard spot
20.01.2023, 18:24 • Sport
NBA icon Steph Curry hopes Steve Kerr can help him fulfil Olympic dream in 2024
21.01.2023, 11:48 • Sport
Transgender athletes allowed to compete against women in World Athletics rules
23.01.2023, 11:56 • Sport
Olympics to make cricket decision as ICC propose men's and women's T20 inclusion
26.01.2023, 07:33 • Sport
Olympic chiefs accused of "endorsing" Russia's war due to Paris 2024 stance
27.01.2023, 12:17 • Sport
Ukraine could boycott Olympics over IOC plan for Russian and Belarusian athletes