Tom Pidcock soared to cross-country gold with a searing solo attack that earned Team GB its first medal in mountain biking.
The 21-year-old overtook eight-time world champion Nino Schurter and Mathias Fluckinger on the third lap and never looked like letting go of gold, prevailing by 20 seconds in a time of 1:25:14.
A heavy early fall for race favourite Mathieu van der Poel opened things up and Pidcock soon took control. Starting 29th on the grid, he gained 26 positions in the start loop alone.
Hero. 🚴
— Team GB (@TeamGB) July 26, 2021
21 year old @Tompid claims the first ever mountain bike cross-country Olympic medal for #TeamGB and it's a gold one!#Tokyo2020 pic.twitter.com/PhJ8i5PFPc
The Yorkshireman sealed qualification for the Games with a record-breaking World Cup win in Nove Mesto, Czech Republic by a whole minute.
Whether it’s the mud and thunder of cyclo-cross, prestigious one-day Classic racing or the pressure cooker of Olympic competition, Pidcock’s prodigious talent shines through.
"It's nothing like any other race. The Olympics just transcends any sport. You compete and represent your country and everyone in your country is behind you, no matter in what sports they like. It's just national pride, it's unbelievable," said Pidcock.
"It's been a such a hard time coming here from crashing and breaking my collarbone [in May] and that's just unbelievable.
"I'm always better when I take control myself. I take my own lines, my own speed. Once we started I was fine, all the nerves kind of went and I concentrated on the race. I'm happy this [the Olympic Games] is only every four years because it's stressful.
"I know that my mum and girlfriend are crying at home. It's sad that they can't be here but I see them when I get home."