Tom Pidcock – Photo Credit: Wikimedia

Tom Pidcock will try to follow his Tokyo gold medal with a rainbow jersey after being named in Britain’s road world championships squad.

The Olympic mountain bike champion and Ineos Grenadiers rider was unstoppable in Izu as he claimed the mountain bike title in August. Pidcock has been tipped for major honours on the road and he recently made his Grand Tour debut in the Vuelta de Espana. 

The Yorkshire rider will be joined by veteran Mark Cavendish, Luke Rowe and Ethan Hayter during the road race. The 22-year old produced some amazing results in this year’s Spring classics including winning second place in the Amstel Gold Race behind Wout van Aert.

Meanwhile, former road world champion Lizzie Deignan will lead Britain’s challenge in the women’s road race.

“I’m really looking forward to the road world championships this year, as we have some serious medal contenders within the squad in every category,” said Britain’s Performance Director Stephen Park. “It will be interesting to see how the elite men’s road race plays out too – based on what we know about the course and, with so many riders in top form, we’ve made the decision not to go with one team leader, giving us a number of options as the race plays out. The race really could belong to anyone!”

Hayter will be joined by Dan Bigham for the men’s road time trial while in the women’s time trial, Joss Lowden will be a contender for a medal. Bigham and Lowden are both preparing for attempts on the world Hour record.