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Tokyo 2020: Team GB's Tom Pidcock wins sensational gold in men's Olympics mountain bike

Tom Pidcock has won Team GB's first-ever gold medal in mountain biking. Michael Steele/Getty Images

Britain's Tom Pidcock won gold in the men's mountain bike race at Tokyo 2020 on Monday.

Pidcock, who broke his collarbone less than two months ago, was hardly challenged throughout the race after taking the lead following four laps of the 4.1km Izu circuit.

Swiss Mathias Flueckiger, one of the in-form riders this season with two World Cup wins, took the silver medal, 20 seconds back. Spain's David Valero Serrano edged out defending champion Nino Schurter for the bronze medal.

Mathieu van der Poel, who was favourite for gold and held the yellow jersey in the Tour de France for several days, went over the handle bars earlier in the race.

"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."

The 21-year-old claimed the first-ever medal in mountain biking for Team GB and became the youngest Olympic mountain bike champion.

Information from Reuters was used in this report.