Young British talent Tom Pidcock has taken his first U23 Superprestige victory in Boom, Belgium today after pulling clear of his two closest competitors on the final lap. It was also his first victory in Telenet Fidea colours. Pidcock finished eight seconds clear of his closest competitor, Adam Ťoupalík.
It’s another significant win to add to the palmares of the 18 year-old. To-date, he has won the World, European and British Junior Championships in addition to the Junior Paris-Roubaix. Last month, he won another rainbow jersey when he was fastest in the time trial at the UCI Junior Road World Championships in Bergen, Norway.
Pidcock’s team mate Thijs Aerts was the first to go clear, but unfortunately crashed on the first lap and lost some precious time. Pidcock who started on the third row quickly moved into fourth position and he was amongst four riders to pull clear.
This was soon reduced to three – Pidcock, Adam Toupalik and Sieben Wouters. Just before entering the final lap, Pidcock attacked though Toupalik remained less than five seconds behind. Pidcock was able off his chaser to take his first victory at U23 level.
Tom Pidcock told Telenetfidealions.be afterwards: “For the first time, I did not get well through the sand. It was not really muddy today, but was particularly slippery. I like the bends here. ”
“Everyone is stronger and the level is a lot higher with the juniors. The difference is clear, and not all the top U23s were here. Tomorrow I want to focus more on the sand in Koksijde. Dekker is the big favourite tomorrow.”
BOOM 🎉🎉
First victory for @Tompid as a TelenetFideaLion! #Boom pic.twitter.com/8ia40lWPbn
— TelenetFideaLions (@TFLions) October 21, 2017
.@Tompid joins the leading group. @AertsThijs chasing in #Boom pic.twitter.com/6IVzy5Gft4
— Telenet Fidea Lions (@TFLions) October 21, 2017
Result
1. Thomas Pidcock
2. Adam Toupalik + 00:08
3. Sieben Wouters + 00:25
some wee legend