Pidcock dedicates world title win to late rider Tarling

Great Britain's Tom Pidcock claimed his second cross-country mountain bike world title in Val di Sole, Italy, and paid an emotional tribute after the race to 19-year-old Fin Tarling, a British rider who died following a crash during the Volta a Portugal earlier this month.

The 27-year-old Pidcock, a two-time Olympic champion who won mountain bike gold at the Paris Games, said he wanted to dedicate the win to Fin and his brother Josh Tarling, describing Josh's start at the Vuelta a España as remarkable. He also extended the dedication to the family.

A hard-fought race

This marks Pidcock's second world title, following his first in Scotland in 2023. He entered the championship as a late addition after finishing ninth at this year's Tour de France. On the seventh of eight laps, he broke away from teammate Charlie Aldridge, ultimately finishing 17 seconds ahead in a time of one hour, 25 minutes and 26 seconds. Canada's Cole Punchard placed third.

Pidcock said he had suffered a heavy fall during Friday's practice session, leaving his back sore from the opening lap, and that he had to push hard over the final two laps to extend his lead before the closing sprint.

Other results

Switzerland's Sina Frei won the women's cross-country title, with Britain's Evie Richards finishing sixth. On Thursday, Richards narrowly lost the short track title on the final corner to Austria's Laura Stigger. Aldridge also took silver in the men's short track that day, finishing behind France's Adrien Boichis. In Saturday's downhill events, Britain's Harriet Harnden and Jordan Williams each earned bronze medals.