Tom Pidcock reveals absence from World Championships: "I couldn’t hack another build-up"

The Wollongong World Championships are less than three weeks away, and almost everyday the startlist shapes up a little more. A notable absence in the race will be that of Tom Pidcock, as the British talent cites fatigue.

“I had a difficult week, honestly," Pidcock told Cyclingnews where he has returned to competition on the road. Pidcock had aimed high at the MTB World Championships after very promising results, but could not grab the gold medal he had ambitioned. "It was pretty tough because I had prepared so well and everything seemed to be just going wrong. First, before the race and then in the race. It didn't matter what I did or how hard I tried to control things or get them back on track, something else went wrong. But then coming here, I felt more positive about racing," he added.

Pidcock was sixth in Leuven last year, and has taken wins at Brabantse Pijl and the Tour de France, alongside other strong results which have seen him become one of the best puncheurs in the peloton. Having proven his quality in the explosive races, it was expected that he would be a major contender for the elite men's road race, but he has opted out of it. “I’ve pulled out. Mentally, I couldn’t hack another build-up to Worlds," he revealed.

"It’s all the way in Australia. If I want to target road Worlds I need to be 100%. I was just dreaming of winning mountain bike Worlds, so when that didn’t happen, I was a bit lost. Then trying to go and win road Worlds, to me, would have been the hardest,” Pidcock admitted. His absence will be important for Great Britain who loose a main card for their goal of a medal. After the Tour de France, the INEOS Grenadiers rider made his comeback to the peloton at the Tour of Britain where he's finished fifth on the opening day, and will be a main favourite for the overall classification.