"It was a bit difficult to get into the race rhythm" - Tom Pidcock makes winning return to Mountain Bike in La Nucia despite slow start

Mountain Bike world champion Tom Pidcock made a winning return to the discipline on Sunday afternoon at the first round of the Shimano MTB Super Cup in La Nucia.

Although he started somewhat slowly, Pidcock's class eventually shone through, as the INEOS Grenadiers star taking the win ahead of New Zealander, Samuel Gaze by a clear 25 seconds in the end, with David Valero Serrano in third.

"I've been on a long training camp now so it was a bit difficult to get into the race rhythm," Pidcock said in a short statement post-race, at the finish line. "But I think the endurance came out in the end. It's difficult on the explosive climbs but it's a nice way to start the year. Having a battle with Sam seems to be becoming a regular thing in mountain bike racing, so more of that this year."

This Wednesday, Pidcock will be back in action on the road, making it a third different discipline in a number of weeks for the Brit as he begins his road season at the Volta ao Algarve.