Tom Pidcock won’t be participating in the upcoming Cyclocross World Championships in Tábor, Czech Republic, this winter, as confirmed by his team, INEOS Grenadiers. This decision had been looming for some time, but it’s now official. Instead, the British cyclist will focus on competing in ten cyclocross events during the coming season, including six UCI World Cup races.
The news that the 24-year-old Pidcock would skip the global championship in Tábor next year doesn’t come as a surprise. However, his coach Kurt Bogaerts had left a slight possibility open for his participation for a while. Last cross season, Pidcock started his campaign as early as November 19 in Merksplas and concluded it in mid-January in Benidorm after competing in fourteen races, all without taking part in the World Championships.
This year, the versatile rider will reduce his cyclocross schedule to ten races. On December 16, Pidcock will make his first appearance in the discipline at the X2O Cross in Herentals. Following that, there will be three consecutive UCI World Cup events in Namen (December 17), Antwerpen (December 23), and Gavere (December 26). Therefore, Pidcock will kick off his cyclocross season with a busy weekend, featuring both Herentals and Namen.
After these three World Cup races, he will compete in the Superprestige Cross in Diegem on December 28, followed by the UCI World Cup in Hulst on December 30. The X2O Cross in Koksijde awaits him on January 4, followed by the Cyclocross Gullegem on January 6 and the UCI World Cup in Zonhoven on January 7. His final cyclocross race of the season will be the UCI World Cup in Benidorm on Sunday, January 21. Notably, Pidcock will not be participating in the UCI World Cup in Hoogerheide and, more significantly, the World Championships.
Cycling enthusiasts can look forward to multiple showdowns between Pidcock, Mathieu van der Poel, and Wout van Aert this winter. The UCI World Cups in Antwerpen, Gavere, and Hulst, as well as the X2O Cross in Koksijde, promise to deliver thrilling battles among these top cyclocross riders. Additionally, it’s possible that Pidcock will face off against Van Aert in Zonhoven and the Spanish Benidorm races, although Van Aert’s participation in these events is yet to be confirmed.
‘Big 3 cyclocross race calendar comparison
