What a race! Tom Pidcock fought back from an early flat tire to win the Gold with a brilliant last-minute surge against French rider Victor Koretzky.
Racing began in its usual chaotic fashion, with American Riley Amos taking an early lead and for the first lap. South African Alan Hatherly and the top Swiss and French riders followed closely. Pidcock had a more challenging start, finding himself in twelfth position on the first lap.
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Halfway through the race Pidcock had to wait for a wheel replacement, losing quite a bit of time. He rejoined the race in ninth position, half a minute behind.
The British rider would gradually claw back time on the leaders. He would ultimately catch Koretzky on the last lap, but looked like he may be gassed from the effort. Koretzky attacked hard and gapped Pidcock, and it looked like it may be a heartbreak for the Brit.
However, the Ineos-Grenadiers rider would catch the French rider back, leading for a thrilling finale. Pidock then made a wild move, riding to the left of a tree. The French rider tried to respond but almost clipped Pidcock, losing valuable time.
The mistake that costed 🇫🇷 Koretzky a gold medal in #Paris2024… 💔#Mountainbike pic.twitter.com/iY0BOyBg7x
— Domestique (@Domestique___) July 29, 2024
Pidcock then rode to Gold, with lots of time between him and Koretzky to celebrate. Hatherly would take the Bronze. Canada’s Gunnar Holmgren had a solid ride, finishing 30th.
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