Pumped
RIDERS: THOMAS PIDCOCK, MATHIEU VAN DER POEL, DAN MCCONNELL The Olympic mountain bike race in Izu, Japan was a demanding course. 38 men took to the course on July 26, in dusty conditions on a hot and humid afternoon. Speculation abounded about who was the favourite, and whether Nino Schurter would be able to defend his Gold from Rio. When Thomas Pidcock moved up the start grid into the leading group, and van der Poel misunderstood that the ramp from practice would be removed on race day, the race looked unlike what many expected. Pidcock from Great Britain built a narrow margin and extended it, showcasing his world class talent as he rode to a Gold medal. Swiss Mathias Flueckiger earned Silver while David Valero Serrano from Spain timed a late race…