Pidcock sets sights on Worlds after blistering 2021 start

Storming opening to the year for national champion sees him make the podium three times in three days, reports Vern Pitt

- Vern Pitt

Cyclo-cross star Tom Pidcock started 2021 off with a bang with three podium finishes in the first three days of the new year. He is now firmly focused on challenging for the podium at the World Championships in Ostend, Belgium at the end of the month.

The Trinity rider raced at Baal in the GP Sven Nys on New Year’s Day, finishing behind Mathieu van der Poel (AlpecinFenix) and Wout van Aert (Jumbo-Visma). He was then second to van der Poel at Cyclocross Gullegem the following day before the same line-up as the New Year’s Day podium repeated itself at the UCI World Cup in Hulst, Netherlands on 3 January.

That run capped the Brit’s start to his cross season in which he has chalked up six podiums and a win over the course of 11 races.

“I’ve been on a podium every day this year! No chance today though,” Pidcock posted on Instagram on Monday as he jetted off to a training camp.

Trinity sports director and coach Kurt Bogaerts said Pidcock’s season was “already a success”.