Young Yorkshireman Pidcock in shock as he wins rainbow jersey

Yorkshire's Tom Pidcock underlined his burgeoning reputation in cycling by winning the junior men's time-trial at the Road World Championships in Norway on Tuesday.
Yorkshire's Tom Pidcock with his gold medal (Picture: Simon Wilkinson/SWPIx.com)Yorkshire's Tom Pidcock with his gold medal (Picture: Simon Wilkinson/SWPIx.com)
Yorkshire's Tom Pidcock with his gold medal (Picture: Simon Wilkinson/SWPIx.com)

In doing so, the 18-year-old from Otley adds that global title to the world junior cyclo-cross crown he won earlier in the year in Luxembourg.

The multi-discipline rider then added the junior Paris-Roubaix title on the cobbles of northern France in April and won the British Circuit Race Championships in July.

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But his victory in Norway yesterday will further enhance his standing in world cycling as one of the sport’s rising stars.

Great Britain's Tom Pidcock wins Gold in the Men's Junior Individual Time Trial in Bergen (Picture: Alex Whitehead/SWPIx.com)Great Britain's Tom Pidcock wins Gold in the Men's Junior Individual Time Trial in Bergen (Picture: Alex Whitehead/SWPIx.com)
Great Britain's Tom Pidcock wins Gold in the Men's Junior Individual Time Trial in Bergen (Picture: Alex Whitehead/SWPIx.com)

Pidcock finished the 21.1km route in 28 minutes 2.15 seconds, 11.92secs clear of his nearest rival.

The son of Giles Pidcock, the organiser of the Otley Cycle Races, said: “I knew a podium was a possibility, but I didn’t really think I’d take the lead and then hold it all the way to the finish like that.

“I haven’t recovered yet, I was struggling to sit on that chair. When I recover, I think it will sink in a bit more.”

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Silver went to Antonio Puppio of Italy and bronze to Poland’s Filip Maciejuk.

Tom Pidcock warming up ahead of his ride in the world junior time-trial (Picture: SWPix.com)Tom Pidcock warming up ahead of his ride in the world junior time-trial (Picture: SWPix.com)
Tom Pidcock warming up ahead of his ride in the world junior time-trial (Picture: SWPix.com)

Wednesday is the turn of four-time Tour de France champion and La Vuelta winner Chris Froome in the men’s time-trial.

“With the Tour de France and the Vuelta it’s not something I’ve been able to train specifically for,” said Froome. “I’m here with whatever form I’ve got on the back of the Tour and the Vuelta. I still feel good, still feel fresh, feel up for it. I’m going to get on that start line, give it everything I’ve got. I’d rather be here and give it my best than be at home and wonder where I’d have finished.”