Exclusive: Tom Pidcock plans to defend Olympic mountain bike title at Paris 2024 - 'It means more'

Tom Pidcock plans to defend his Olympic mountain bike title in Paris next summer, saying the Games “mean more” and “transcend cycling”. The Ineos Grenadiers star is taking a mini break from the road to target the opening round of the UCI Cross-country World Cup in Nove Mesto, Czech Republic this weekend. Pidcock will compete in the short-track (XCC) on Friday, which serves as qualifying for the Olympic distance race (XCO) on Sunday.

Ad He arrives in promising form after winning the Swiss Cup round in Chur earlier this week, having enjoyed a stellar Spring Classics campaign on the road that saw him take a brilliant solo victory at Strade Bianche and earn podiums at Liege-Bastogne-Liege and Amstel Gold. UCI Mountain Bike World SeriesUCI Mountain Bike World Series: How to watch, TV and live stream details09/05/2023 AT 10:21 The 23-year-old is hoping to claim the leader’s jersey at the opening round – albeit a jersey he will never get to wear due to his road commitments – before turning his attention to the Tour de France after a small break. After the Tour, he will return to the mountain bike in a bid to win the world title in Glasgow in August.

“This year my goal in mountain biking is to win the Worlds,” Pidcock told Eurosport. “Last year I fell ill the week before. I still ended up fourth which I’m pretty amazed with, I just finished and I was completely empty, mentally and physically.

This year I want to go back, especially with it being in Glasgow. “I’m also focused on the Olympics next year. I want to go back and defend my title for sure.