[ad_1]
ELANCOURT, France: Britain’s Tom Pidcock overcame a puncture to retain his Olympic men’s mountain bike title on Monday after a spirited battle with France’s Viktor Koretzky.
World champion Pidcock, who won gold at the Tokyo Olympics, suffered a front tyre blowout on the fourth lap of the eight-lap race around the 4.4km track at Mount Elancott, leaving him 35 seconds behind his rivals.
Fueled by adrenaline, Pidcock closed the gap and raced to the front on lap seven, looking ready to take the win.
But Koretzky and South Africa’s Alan Hatherley were close behind, completing a thrilling final lap.
Koretzky led the attack, looking to emulate compatriot Pauline Ferrand-Prevot, who won the women’s race on Sunday.
But a mistake put Pidcock behind again, and then the two riders almost collided on the final rocky downhill section.
Pidcock then seized the opportunity to overtake Koretzky and crossed the finish line nine seconds ahead amid boos from some spectators.
Hatherley finished third, winning South Africa’s first Olympic mountain bike medal. — Reuters
[ad_2]
Source link
