Tom Pidcock wins British men's elite national cyclo-cross title

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Tom Pidcock feels his form is good ahead of the World Championships after retaining his British national title in emphatic style.

Despite a crash in the opening lap the 21-year-old, from Yorkshire, fought back to the front and then built a comfortable margin on his rivals to win by over two minutes.

Reigning Junior World Champion  Ben Tulett (Alpecin-Fenix) finished second while Cameron Mason (Trinity Racing) took third.

Pidcock will make his debut World Championships appearance in the elite men’s event in Dubendorf in three weeks’ time after stepping up early from the under-23 ranks.

“My form is good, how good I’m not too sure but certainly today I was going pretty good and I can certainly build on that,” said Pidcock.

“It’s the business end of the season now. I want to go there (Dubendorf) and get a podium but everyone is going to be on top of their game.

“I’d be happy with top-five. Anything can happen.”

A dramatic start to the elite men’s race saw a crash hinder the hopes of a host of riders outside the top ten as competitors hit the opening off-camber muddy section from the road start.

Trinity Racing rider Pidcock avoided the first crash but brought himself down moments later as he tangled with a post while trying to navigate a tight corner.

However, by the end of the opening lap Pidcock had a slender eight-second gap over chasers Thomas Mein (Tarteletto-Isorex) and Tulett.

After a slower start Mason closed the gap to his under-23 rivals to put himself into podium contention.

Tulett eventually pulled away for second while Mein fell back to the chasing duo of Turner and Mason at the half-way distance.

With just over a lap to go Mason attacked his companions causing Mein to drop back while Turner responded in the battle for third.

Pidcock had time to celebrate his win with Tulett second while Mason held of the challenge of Turner for third.

The speed of Pidcock was such that only 15 riders finished on the same lap as the youngster out of 69 finishers, with the rest pulled out as the national champion lapped them.

“The first lap, I just wanted to go from the start and I wasn’t even ready to go from the line so I had a bad start and rushed straight to the front I was rushing too much and made a few mistakes,” Pidcock added

“My goal was to only leave 10 left in the race, but the race was one lap too short really.”

Pidcock wants to inspire the next generation of cyclo-cross riders by wearing the British national jersey at the front of international races.

“It’s my job to represent British cross now and inspire people,” added Pidcock.

“Without inspiration I don’t think kids get into sports, certainly without my inspirations I certainly wouldn’t be as good as I am.

“I think I have a responsibility and I sort of like the responsibility as well. The British championship jersey has never been at the front of men’s cross races so it’s certainly something special.”