It was an emotional British team that lined up at the start line in Bieles, Luxembourg. Riders were wearing black armbands in tribute to Charlie Craig whose death shocked the cycling world earlier this week. British Cycling coach Simon Watts posted this picture before the race:
In cold and icy race conditions the riders were slipping and sliding and there were plenty of tangles between bikes. French rider Bonsergent looked to be set for a medal until he snapped his rear mech and lost a shoe – it was a long cold run on to the pits and his medal hopes were over.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BPzl7NhBNF7/?taken-by=uci_cycling
Tom Pidcock was the favourite heading into the race and delivered on expectations (even appearing to style it MTB style coming off the bridge at one point). In doing so he became the first Junior Brit to win the race since Roger Hammond in 1992. The British 1-2-3 was an unexpected bonus result as Dan Tulett and Ben Turner fought through the field to the podium places.
Inevitably, it got very emotional, with the riders shedding a few tears on the podium. The commentators were only just holding it together, as were the many viewers watching at home.
The stuff dreams are made of.
?: @Tompid
?: @Tulett_Daniel99
?: @benjeturnerAn all ?? podium at #Bieles2017. A perfect #rideforcharlie pic.twitter.com/nP9Wg0LNmm
— British Cycling (@BritishCycling) January 28, 2017
https://www.instagram.com/p/BPzlOSrh_zL/?taken-by=britishcycling
To watch the race, click here: