Mum of Olympic medallist says win is 'huge relief'

Gold medallist Thomas Pidcock celebrates on the podium

The mother of cyclist Tom Pidcock said her son's victory at Paris Olympics 2024 had been "a huge relief" after a "touch and go" race.

On Monday, the 25-year-old from Leeds defied a puncture and secured gold in the men's mountain bike final.

Pidcock successfully defended the title he won in Tokyo in 2021, despite falling back more than 40 seconds behind French rider Victor Koretzky at one point.

Pidcock's mum, Sonja Harper, said: "It didn't look like it was going to go Tom's way for a while but I had faith in him."

"It was a little bit more exciting than we had hoped for."

At the Tokyo Olympics three years ago, Pidcock became the first Briton to win an Olympic medal in cross-country mountain bike.

He has since won a stage of the Tour de France in 2022 as well as Strade Bianche and the Amstel Gold Race.

Despite his successes, Ms Harper said her son "feels the pressure".

"He didn't have a great Tour de France [this year] and then he had to come home with Covid.

"He's had one great win this year but a lot of races have not gone his way."

Ms Harper said Monday's win had been "a huge relief" in light of her son's hard work and sacrifices.

"He's a real tough lad, always has been," she said.

"He's a proper Yorkshireman, [he] doesn't give in, just keeps going."

She added: "Did you know that he wears a Yorkshire rose on his necklace all the time?

"Wherever he is in the world, he has a little bit of Yorkshire with him."

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