"I actually felt rubbish all race" but Cameron Mason has finished on the podium of a World Cup race for the first time

Cameron Mason is an incredibly talented cyclocross rider and currently he is the leading figure of British cross. He finished for the first time on the podium of a World Cup race this Sunday in Flamanville, in a race that didn't actually go his way right from the start.

"I pulled my foot out of the pedal pretty quickly. I moved back up again to where I was going to be anyway. I think I was 15th on the first lap, but that is really far, actually," Mason shared with Sporza. "Was quite in a line on this track, so I struggled. I actually felt rubbish all race, but I did find my rhythm a little bit and was bridging quite big gaps."  

Mason has performed strongly several times this season, most notably his second place to Thibau Nys on the Koppenbergcross. However, he had the legs to fight for the win again in France, beginning his chase of Nys after the Belgian attacked, following the mishap of Joris Nieuwenhuis.

"The race was already going, and I probably came to within five or six seconds of Thibau, but I was really on my limit, and he was riding his own pace. It's hard to say what would have happened otherwise, because there is also a tactical element, but it is what it is," he added. With Lars van der Haar in his wheel, he was doomed to be outplayed by the Baloise Glowi Lions duo.

Nevertheless, he managed to finish third on the day, climbing also to fifth in the cup standings. "I was going all in. I actually didn't care about losing second or third. I really didn't come here for second or third. I was ready to go all-in for the win."

This is also his first podium in a World Cup event, a surprising fact taking into consideration the results the 25-year old has achieved in the past. "The significance of third is not lost on me. I know that it's a really big ride still, and obviously my best-ever result. I'm definitely better than this. I'll work out what this means, and then try again at the next one. It's an exciting place to be, but I can't lie, there's more in [me]."

On Instagram, the Briton added to these comments: “There was some self-inflicted pressure to win today. Which is of course a privilege. It’s also a privilege to be competitive on this level. There’s no room for mistakes against this competition. And I made a few too many. Respect to Thibau [Nys] and Lars [van der Haar] for their race today" He also continues to be second on the X2O Trofee Badkamers, where he can realistically aim for the overall win. 

“I really enjoyed racing the World Cup in Flamanville this weekend. A beautiful location, passionate fans and a challenging course. Cyclocross needs more of this, I will support it. I’m skipping the WC in Sardinia unfortunately, I’ll go to Spain to train instead. It’s tough at the top, but I’ve been preparing my whole life for this.”