Tom Pidcock says French fans boos ‘not in Olympic spirit’ after Team GB star overcomes puncture to win stunning gold medal
Tom Pidcock overcame a puncture to win one of the most thrilling Olympic comebacks in history as he took gold in the cross-country cycling.
Pidcock was 40 seconds behind at one point and dropped down to ninth after suffering a puncture during the men's mountain bike race at the Olympics.
5
But the 24-year-old managed to claw himself back in the race before pipping France's Victor Koretzky to first place in dramatic circumstances.
The Brit was booed as he made his way over the finish line by the French fans, who were left shocked by the result after seeing home favourite Koretzky miss out.
And fans at home were left scratching their heads after the BBC switched coverage mid-race despite Pidcock in the lead.
It came at a crucial moment, too, as the British cyclist had just suffered a puncture, leaving viewers perplexed over what had happened.
READ MORE ON OLYMPICS
One viewer said: "Missing Pidcock's puncture for a channel change, classic BBC."
And another wrote: "'Watching Tom Pidcock winning the MTB are you? Be a shame if we randomly cut away to change channels and then started going on about Adam Peaty again instead'. This BBC coverage is terrible."
The win marked Team GB's second gold medal of the Olympics having taken their first in equestrian team eventing on a grand day for the Brits.
Pidcock and Koretzky were neck and neck throughout the final lap, intensely tussling to nudge ahead of the other on brutal terrain fraught with rocks, logs and drops.
Most read in Olympics
Each one managed to get ahead of the other about four times each in a whirlwind final few minutes.
The two even collided as they tried to get the better of one another in a truly epic ending.
5
5
5
5
That collision nearly dethroned both riders, who did well to remain in the hunt for gold.
But it gave Pidcock a small advantage to race clear of Koretzky on the final climb.
In the end, Pidcock finished with a time 1:26.22, just 0.09 seconds clear of Koretzky, who was left gobsmacked by his rival's re-appearance at the front.
Olympic cylist Robert Forstemann posts video of him doing 160kg/353lbs Bulgarian Split Squats as he prepares for Paris 2024
After the race, Pidcock said: "I think it's definitely my most emotionally draining victory.
"The build-up was such a long time in my head. The waiting all week, the training, it all builds up and then you're on the start line.
"To deal with that takes so much energy and focus, it’s really difficult.
"I knew that the first thing was to stay calm [after puncture], I didn't really let it affect me.
"All I could do was stay calm and come back as best I could. I wanted to come back to the front, that's all I cared about."
When asked about the boos, he added: "The boos are a shame because that’s not really the spirit of the Olympics.
"But I do understand that the French are very passionate, they wanted Victor to win. That was understandable. They didn’t boo the rock that made me puncture.”
Pidcock had been ahead when he had to return to camp and allow his mechanics to fix a puncture on his front wheel.
The incident saw the Yorkshireman drop down to ninth and almost 40 seconds behind.
But Pidcock was not willing to give up his gold medal at Tokyo 2020 that easily and showed incredible spirit and tenacity to claim first place again.
Read More on talkSPORT
And after taking home gold again for Team GB, he nearly broke down as he embraced his family at the finish line.
Koretzky, meanwhile, was in tears as he hugged his child, though he can be proud of his silver medal after an epic Olympic battle that will not be forgotten anytime soon.
talkSPORT BET Offer
Bet £10 on any event and get £30 in free bets
T&Cs: 18+ New customers only. Opt in & bet £10+ via mobile on any sports at 2.00+ odds within 7 days. No Cash out. Get 3x £10 Free Bets on selected markets. Free bets expire in 7 days. Card payments & Apple Pay only. T&Cs apply, see below. GambleAware.org | Please gamble responsibly
talkSPORT brings you live coverage of the Paris Olympics this summer, with Sir Steve Redgrave and Dame Kelly Holmes among our legendary line-up of pundits. Listen to talkSPORT or talkSPORT 2 through the website, via the app, or through your smart speaker. And follow our live blog for all the latest news.
Topics