Junior world champion Tom Pidcock took a sensational win for the Great Britain Cycling Team in his first-ever under-23 UCI Cyclo-cross World Cup race in Koksijde, Belgium on Sunday.
Pidcock, 18, crossed the line in 52 minutes and 25 seconds after seven laps - 13 clear of the Czech Republic’s Adam Toupalik.
The moment 18-year-old @Tompid takes the under-23 UCI Cyclo-cross World Cup win in Koksijde! ( @TFLions)pic.twitter.com/Ppb0tVhi8I
— British Cycling (@BritishCycling) October 22, 2017
The victory adds another achievement to a remarkable 2017 for the British and European junior cyclo-cross champion. Pidcock has taken victories in the world junior road time trial, Paris-Roubaix Juniors and the HSBC UK | National Circuit Race Championships.
Pidcock attacked on the penultimate lap and when Toupalik crashed, the Briton showed remarkable technical skill and composure to see out the remainder of the race.
Ben Turner, the junior men's bronze medallist at the world championships last season, finished in 21st place, without losing a lap; a promising start for his first world cup in the under-23 age category.
Helen Wyman and Nikki Brammier both recorded top-10 finishes in seventh and ninth in the elite women's race; Wyman picking up her best performance of the world cup season so far and with Brammier equalling her best result.
Elsewhere in the women's race, British riders Hannah Payton, Anna Kay, Bethany Crumpton and Amira Mellor finished in 32nd, 35th, 38th and 45th place respectively.
British rider Ian Field finished in 31st place in a tough elite men's field, packed with home advantaged Belgian riders.
Ben Tullett was the top British finisher in the junior men's event, coming home in 16th place. Team mates Cameron Mason finished 26th and Jenson Young 28th, while Matthew Ellis did not finish.
