"If Tom didn't exist, I maybe wouldn't be shooting for these medals" - Cameron Mason inspired by Tom Pidcock closes in on Cyclocross European Championships win

Cameron Mason has been developing strongly over the past few years in Cyclocross and yesterday at the European Championships he layed it all out on the trail, coming very close to taking the win against a strong contingent of Belgian and Dutch riders.

"I'm a bit surprised by the step because I know how much strength we have in British cyclocross right now with Tom [Pidcock] and others. But it feels amazing. It feels like my time is coming and this result has been knocking on the door for a few years," Mason shared with Cyclingnews. "The people who know, know and they can see it coming. I'm just really happy to have executed it today."

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Mason had shown great form coming into the race, mainly with his fourth place in the Koppenbercross. The climbing tracks suit him quite well but Pontchâteau was relatively different. However, the heavy rain that fell throughout Sunday made the circuit very muddy and slippery. On the climbs it was no longer about explosivity but instead the capacity to put out plenty of seated efforts. This was perfect for the Briton.

"The win wasn't very far away. Michael was in control but it's also cool to know he's just there and that's the jersey. But for now, I'm just super happy with my silver. When I looked at it on Friday, I thought it might be a bit too punchy for me, but every time it rained more I was like, yeah this is good for me, just to bring the speeds down a little bit from 25kph to 20kph, that suits me a lot more if the climbs are more in the saddle with that deep power," he explained. "You saw how technical it was out there, the riders who made the least mistakes, really it suited them."

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Mason attacked from the chasing group after Vanthourenhout attacked early in the race - ultimately for victory - and then spent the whole race in second and third place, whilst Lars van der Haar and Pim Ronhaar suffered mishaps due to the weather conditions. Although he couldn't close the gap to the successfully defending champion, the 23-year soared to a second place that surprised many.

He further commented on former World Champion Tom Pidcock who headlines the new British generation that is growing ever stronger in the discipline. "I've actually looked up to him throughout my whole career, he's a trendsetter, it's so important to have people from your own country like that to push the sport on. If Tom didn't exist, I maybe wouldn't be shooting for these medals and these levels."

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"The years I spent with him at Trinity, l learned what makes a rider of this level and now I'm becoming a rider in my own [right], I'm looking forward to seeing him back, it'll be good fun." Alongside Mason's win, the British nation also saw 19-year old Zoe Bäckstedt soar to a dominant victory in the women's under-23 race in what was another promising result for years to come.

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Cameron Mason

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For you grandad 👆💫 And for the love of cross 🫶 Thank you to everyone who helps me to reach my potential. I’ll never stop believing 🫡

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