Pidcock wins the World Championships and announces he will step away from MTB in 2027

Tom Pidcock had just staged a spectacular comeback to become the XCO World Champion 2026 in Val di Sole, but his first words after the victory were to remember his compatriot Finlay Tarling. The Briton became emotional when speaking about the young cyclist who passed away just a few weeks ago and then acknowledged how complicated the journey has been to arrive in good condition for this World Championship. Furthermore, he announced that in 2027 he will practically step away from MTB before returning in 2028 with the Olympic Games as his main goal.

Pidcock remembers Finlay Tarling right after winning his second XCO World Championship

Pidcock once again demonstrated in Val di Sole that he needs very little time on a mountain bike to be at the level of the best specialists. He started quite far back, was around 30th position during the first lap, and from there staged a comeback that ultimately took him to the front of the race.

Once he reached the best riders, the race changed completely. His successive attacks left Cole Punchard, Martin Vidaurre, and Adrien Boichis behind until only Charlie Aldridge could keep up with him. Pidcock's final acceleration also ended Aldridge's resistance and allowed him to face the last lap solo to claim his second XCO world title.

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But right after finishing, and still truly emotional about what he had just achieved, Pidcock wanted to first remember Finlay Tarling, the young British cyclist who passed away at just 19 years old after an accident during the Volta a Portugal.

Afterward, Pidcock explained that behind the performance we had just witnessed there had been a few weeks that were much more complicated than they might have seemed.

The Briton arrived at the World Championship after a very demanding Tour de France in which he finished 9th overall, and he acknowledged that he ended the French race really tired. Recovering and preparing for a completely different goal like the XCO World Championship has been quite challenging for him.

On top of that accumulated fatigue, he also suffered a fall during the pre-race training in Val di Sole. Pidcock hit his back and the discomfort was still present during the race. In fact, he explained afterward that he particularly felt that pain during the first laps.

A context that adds even more value to what he did afterward. Pidcock had to push hard from the start to overcome all the traffic ahead of him, but he managed the comeback, reached the leading group, and still had enough strength to be the one who made the race tougher in the final laps.

And all this after competing very little in mountain biking over the past few years.

In 2025 he only raced two MTB events and won both, including the European Championship. His XCO statistics during 2026 are even more striking with two XCO races and two victories. He won the World Cup in Nove Mesto and has just been crowned World Champion in Val di Sole.

Such a selective presence that will be even less next year.

Pidcock confirmed after winning the World Championship that in 2027 he will take a break from mountain biking. His intention is to set the discipline aside from his major goals for a season and return in 2028, when he will refocus his preparation on XCO for the Olympic Games.

However, Pidcock hinted that he will compete in some MTB events in 2027 to showcase the rainbow jersey, although it seems that these will again be very few appearances.