- Tom Pidcock clinched the gold medal in cross-country mountain biking on Monday.
- Team GB faced a puncture scare that could have jeopardized his race.
- Viewers were left confused when the BBC switched feeds during Pidcock’s tire issue.
Frustrated fans have criticized the BBC’s coverage of the Olympics for missing Tom Pidcock’s puncture during the cross-country mountain biking event on Monday.
Pidcock was in the lead after three laps when disaster struck, requiring him to switch bikes due to a mechanical issue.
The 24-year-old fell to ninth place because of the puncture, trailing France’s Victor Koretzky by 40 seconds at the race’s midpoint.
In an incredible turn of events, Pidcock regained the lead as he and Koretzky nearly collided before sprinting to the finish line, finishing nine seconds ahead to secure gold.
However, while many fans were captivated by the thrilling race, some were left disappointed by the BBC’s decision to switch feeds during Pidcock’s puncture.
Tom Pidcock defended his Olympic cross-country mountain bike gold in dramatic fashion
Pidcock took the lead in stunning fashion as he dramatically overtook France’s Victor Koretzky
Fans voiced their frustrations with the BBC’s coverage on social media shortly after the event
One viewer expressed: “And the @BBCSport decided to cut out a significant portion of the live mountain biking to focus on morning events, missing Tom Pidcock’s puncture and his drop in position. Unbelievable!”
Another commented: “The BBC missing Pidcock’s puncture is not just an unfortunate oversight – it was preventable. They could have seamlessly overlapped from BBC Two to BBC One without interrupting the broadcast for an iPlayer advert and morning summary. Discovery + / Eurosport is there for a reason.”
“Thanks @BBCSport for switching channels during the mountain biking and showing endless adverts for BBC programs, causing us to miss Tom Pidcock’s tire change.”
“Utterly dismal coverage from @BBCSport of the Olympics, showing iPlayer promotions in the midst of the mountain bike race just as #Pidcock was leading and suffered a puncture. This makes a mockery of the license fee for ‘Category A’ events being guaranteed. The #BBC has really lost its way.”
“Missing Pidcock’s puncture because of a channel change? Classic BBC.”
“The BBC’s failure to cover Tom Pidcock’s puncture during the channel change is something they could have controlled.”
Viewers did not hold back as they slammed the BBC’s coverage of the mountain biking
“I can’t believe I switched off BBC 2 while Tom was in the lead, and when BBC 1 resumed coverage, it cut straight to him having a tire change.”
Pidcock executed an impressive comeback, closing the distance and catching up to Koretzky as they began the final lap.
South Africa’s Alan Hatherly also joined the fray as the trio vied for medal positions.
In a spectacular moment, Pidcock took the lead as he and Koretzky nearly collided during his audacious overtaking attempt in the final stages.
Pidcock had been forced to fight back after a puncture left him 40 seconds off the lead
This move proved pivotal, as the reigning champion then sprinted to the finish line, finishing nine seconds ahead.
French competitor Koretzky had to settle for silver, while Hatherly secured bronze two seconds later.
Pidcock faced some booing from the home fans at Elancourt Hill, who had been cheering when Koretzky took the lead on the final climb.
The British cyclist had also overcome a difficult lead-up to the Olympics, having to leave the Tour de France due to a positive Covid-19 test.
