“They didn’t boo the rock that made me puncture”: Tom Pidcock says “it’s a shame” French crowds booed epic Olympic win – as rival insists divebomb “part of racing”; Ex-pro tells Lance Armstrong to “keep his mouth shut” over Pogačar + more on the live blog

Have you recovered yet? Because I haven’t.

And with the triathlon cancelled this morning because of all the pollution in the Seine (shocking I know), ushering in the harsh reality that no Olympics athletes will ride bikes for our entertainment today, I thought we’d linger on that men’s mountain bike cross-country race from yesterday.

(Zac Williams/SWpix.com)

You know, the one where Tom Pidcock punctured halfway through while leading, losing around 40 seconds and nine places on the flying Frenchman Victor Koretzky, who was roared on by the delirious home crowd…

Only to brilliantly ease his way back through the field, before catching and then delivering a series of blistering accelerations with the aim of dislodging Koretzky…

Who then called Pidcock’s bluff and launched his own stunning attack in the last lap…

Only to falter around a late corner, allowing Pidcock to regain lost ground – and then execute one of the most characteristically Tom Pidcock, all-or-nothing moves ever seen, dive bombing around the other side of a tree, nudging and unsettling Koretzky in the process to secure his second straight Olympic mountain bike title, all played out to a booming chorus of jeers from the bewildered French public.

(Alex Whitehead/SWpix.com)

Yes, that one.

And, when we weren’t revelling in one of the most exhilarating hour-and-a-half’s worth of bike racing you’re ever likely to see, much of the post-race analysis focused on Pidcock’s controversial – but perfectly legal – last-gasp, and ultimately race-winning, dive around the tree, and the boos that rang out around Élancourt hill in response to it.

The Pidcock overtake 🤯

🎥 @BBCSport #Paris2024pic.twitter.com/v7L5T0c2Jz

— Team GB (@TeamGB) July 29, 2024

“It’s a shame the French were booing me, because that’s not really the spirit of the Olympics,” 24-year-old Pidcock, who added another Olympic title to his increasingly impressive and wide-ranging palmares, said after yesterday’s race.

“But I do also understand it. The French are very passionate. They wanted Victor to win, which is understandable. But, you know, they didn’t boo the rock that made me puncture.”

The Ineos rider also insisted that he “didn’t do anything wrong” when it came to that late, late move – a claim backed up by the race jury, with mountain bike etiquette emphasising that as long as the dive bombing rider can get their bike in front of their opponent, the line is theirs.

“I didn't do anything wrong. I was in front and he left the door open,” the double Olympic champion said. “We were racing for a gold medal and I wanted to win just as much as he did.”

(Ed Sykes/SWpix.com)

> “Rubbing’s racing – it’s the Olympics, you have to go all in”

“As it happens, the matter was reviewed by the UCI’s sports director, Peter Van den Abeele,” British Cycling’s performance director Stephen Park added.

“He looked at the video a number of times, and he was comfortable that the line was good. They were definitely alongside, if not Tom was slightly ahead when they came together, therefore there was no infringement.”

(Alex Whitehead/SWpix.com)

And, to their credit, that was also the conclusion reached by Koretzky and the French team, with L’Équipe reporting that officials from the home nation reviewed the images and decided not to file a complaint.

And while Koretzky was certainly (and somewhat understandably) frosty with Pidcock immediately after the race and during the podium ceremony, by the time of their joint press conference, the silver medallist was gracious in defeat.

“I got a gap but then went off the track and so he caught me again. Then he overtook me in the forest. I didn’t know he was on the left, he touched me and touched my shoes, and then I almost crashed,” the French off-road star said.

(Alex Whitehead/SWpix.com)

“I think it was part of racing. We all want the goal and we all fight for the goal. That’s racing. We fought to the finish.

“After his puncture he showed everyone he was on form today. I lost my opportunity, but I think I played my own chance to the end. I can be happy about that.

“Racing in front of the French crowd was amazing. From the start to the end of the race, it was an amazing atmosphere. I can’t be sad. I’m disappointed and happy at the same time.”

Just when you thought professional cycling couldn’t get any weirder, the Vuelta a España confirmed this afternoon that stage six of this year’s race will get underway – in the most Vuelta way possible – inside a Carrefour supermarket in Jerez.

Yes, you read that right. Inside the actual shop. According to the organisers, in a bid to celebrate 12 years of Carrefour – which sponsors the leader’s red jersey – backing the Vuelta, the riders and lead car will set off from the supermarket’s aisles “where customers usually do their shopping”.

Okay… I have some questions. And it’s fair to say I’m not the only one.

“Cats are going to be lining up in the cereals aisle, next to the Golden Grahams and the Frosties,” wrote cycling writer and ITV4 stalwart Daniel Friebe on Twitter.

“So many questions about this that aren’t answered in communiqué. What happens if, say, Nairomán decides he needs some disposable razors two minutes before the start? Can he just ride out through till and not trigger the alarm? If he brings a loyalty card, does he earn points?”

Move over Pidcock, I think there might be a new contender for most exciting cycling day of the year. And, in any case, it’ll give everyone an excuse to watch a Vuelta stage from the start. Good job Geraint Thomas isn’t riding, he’d be a nightmare on that tiled floor.

And with a lumpy stage and uphill finish to follow, will it be a punchy rider, breakaway specialist, or GC contender who will supermarket sweep their way to victory?

I’ll get my coat…

Ironman world champ and reigning Olympic triathlon gold medallist Kristian Blummenfelt’s ambition to join the pro peloton next year – once he’s finally finished with all this extra swimming and running carry-on – has certainly raised some eyebrows in the roadie community.

> Triathlon star with highest ever recorded VO2 max Kristian Blummenfelt reveals ambitious plan to win the Tour de France by 2028

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Body Rocket (@bodyrocketcc)

Is it possible for the 30-year-old, regardless of his absolute VO2 max score and era-defining achievements in triathlon, to transfer on to the road scene and compete at the highest level, and maybe – just maybe – even win a grand tour?

Here’s what you had to say…

Secret Squirrel: “I’ll go out on a limb and say he hasn’t a dog’s chance against the current generation of road pros. He’s too old, won’t have the bike or peloton handling skills.

“The last over 30-year-old to win GC at a GT was G in 2018, they’ve been young guns’ races ever since. This guy ain’t no G, let alone a Pog or a Remco. I reckon he gets eaten alive by the Classics specialists, let alone the GCers.”

Mctrials23: “Not a popsicles chance. Won’t have the bike handling skills, will have to lose a lot of weight, will struggle with pack dynamics, descending, doing 3 weeks TdF. And that’s ignoring the fact he will be much older than the top boys. Smacks of someone who thinks triathlon is just a hard version of road cycling so he should be fine.”

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Kristian Blummenfelt (@kristianblu)

Sylvain: “Did someone told him winning the Tour is a team effort, with some team tactics? And it’s won in the climbs too? Hard to understand for a triathlete maybe.”

Martin: “No, absolutely not a chance. VO2 won’t help you beat Pogačar, not with that body frame!”

Paul: “Would potentially be better switching to track cycling.”

Hunter: “Does he know he has to turn on a road bike?!?”

Chris: “This is a joke, right???”

Simon: “Might win a few ITT stages but no chance in hell for a GC.”

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Kristian Blummenfelt (@kristianblu)

However, it wasn’t all disparaging comments about poor bike handling and big swimming shoulders.

Responding to one Instagram comment that claimed Blummenfelt would lack the recovery capabilities of the big GC riders, Ketil wrote: “Yeah, nothing like doing full Ironmans, being world champ. I’m a cyclist, but racing 180km time trial after 3,800 meters swimming, then running a full marathon; if you think his body can’t recover or take a massive beating, you’re delusional.”

“Why not, you have to be in it to win it, and if you don't try you'll never know,” added Mick, while Ross noted Tour podium finisher Richie Porte’s background in triathlon (and late entry to pro road racing to boot).

And finally, Richard is apparently even more confident about the Norwegian’s potential success on the road than Blummenfelt’s own team:

“He’ll do it in a sleeveless jersey and trainer socks.”

Now, that would annoy a lot of people…

You know you’re getting old when you’re pleased to see a feature about treating and preventing back pain while cycling:

> Achy back on the bike? The causes of back pain in cyclists and the best ways to relieve and prevent it

Two solid and tidy runs from Charlotte Worthington give her an average score of 79.01 - but the crazy level of competition in Place de la Concorde today means it’s not quite enough for her to continue her title defence.

Always our champion 🫶🏼#Paris2024 | #BMXFreestyle pic.twitter.com/Rfj5piWqha

— British Cycling (@BritishCycling) July 30, 2024

After yesterday’s excitement, Team GB’s cycling squad has been brought slightly back down to earth this afternoon, as Charlotte Worthington’s defence of the BMX Freestyle title she won so spectacularly in Tokyo three years ago ended in underwhelming fashion, the 28-year-old Mancunian exiting in qualifying after finishing 11th in the 12-rider field.

While five-time world champion Hannah Roberts posted a stunning score of 91.45 to top the qualifying section ahead of Wednesday’s final, Worthington could only muster 79.01 after two arguably safe runs, while Switzerland’s Nikita Ducarroz – bronze in Tokyo – is also out after finishing tenth.

One of the great pro cycling tragedies is about to hit the sport in 2025 – the loss of Sean Kelly butchering his way through Lotto-Dstny’s name in commentary for Eurosport.

‘Arnaud De Lie needs his Lotto-Dest… Dist… Din… Dynasty… teammates around him now…Lotto-Dynasty.’

That’s right – in a matter of months we will no longer be able to hear the King of the Classics confuse a cloud-based business communication solutions company with a 1980s American soap, as Lotto-Dstny confirmed today that their vowel-avoiding co-sponsor is stepping away from the team after two-and-a-half years.

(Zac Williams/SWpix.com)

However, despite seemingly having no new title partner in the pipeline for next season, Karel Van Eetvelt, the president of the second-tier Belgian outfit (who have a habit of burning through sponsors early in recent years – just ask Ridley), has insisted in a statement that Dstny’s departure is “not a cause for concern”.

> Ridley accuses Lotto Dstny of “disloyalty” and “reputational damage” as Belgian team looks to break contract with bike sponsor

“Various discussions are taking place to secure the future of our team, and hard work is being done,” he said.

“The National Lottery remains our main partner, having supported us previously during challenging times. We are determined to continue building on the solid foundations that we have today.

“As the oldest team in the peloton, with 40 years of rich history, we’ve seen partners come and go. That’s part of cycling. With Orbea, we have secured a long-term international agreement and our other partners believe in the strength of the team and ensure that our foundations remain strong.”

CEO Stéphane Heulot also praised Dstny’s input over the last few seasons, which – despite seeing the team relegated from the WorldTour – have resulted in the rapid rise of De Lie and a recent Tour de France stage win for Victor Campenaerts.

(A.S.O./Charly Lopez)

“We have secured all our talents for the future, which was our top priority. Youthful enthusiasm, attractive racing, and being the challenger to the big teams will thus remain part of the team’s DNA in the coming seasons,” Heulot said.

“Additionally, I want to emphasise that behind the scenes, there has been excellent cooperation over the past two and a half years to bring all this success to realisation.”

Nevertheless, despite Heulot’s comments about behind-the-scenes harmony, recent reports in Belgium have suggested that Dstny’s departure is linked to friction not with the team itself, but with co-title sponsor Lotto, which has backed the squad since its foundation in 1985.

“The relationship with the Lottery was already not going well right from the start,” Dstny CEO Daan De Wever told De Tijd last week.

“We quickly realised that we were in a situation where the Lottery did not want to share power. In every decision – both sporting and policy – they wanted to have the last word. The culture, the style, and the collaboration were not what we had in mind.”

Well, at least Sean Kelly’s happy…

Is Ironman world champion and reigning Olympic gold medallist (for the next 24 hours, anyway) Kristian Blummenfelt – and his off-the-charts VO2 max score – set to follow in the wheel tracks of Cameron Wurf and, errr, Lance Armstrong by swapping the swimming caps and running shoes for a place in the peloton next year?

And most importantly, can the big Norwegian (I’d love to see him lining up alongside Tom Pidcock at the start of Strade Bianche), rumoured to be joining Jayco-AlUla next year, also fulfil his rather lofty ambitions of succeeding at the Tour de France?

Answers on a postcard…

Read more: > Triathlon star with highest ever recorded VO2 max Kristian Blummenfelt reveals ambitious plan to win the Tour de France by 2028

Though, to be fair, that soaking wet time trial at the weekend would definitely have suited him…

Well, the results are in…

And it turns out you only need to suffer during the Tour de France, contract Covid, have an untimely puncture, mount a stirring comeback, look like you’re on the brink of losing, pull off an unbelievably audacious manoeuvre around a tree, and win your second consecutive Olympic gold to be declared the ‘cycling performance of 2024’ by 80 per cent of live blog readers.

I’d say that poll result is worth more than an Olympic gold to Tom, eh?

And the 20 per cent who voted ‘no’ – tough crowd…