Team GB gold medal winner Tom Pidcock has criticised local crowds for booing him after beating the home favourite in the Olympic men’s mountain bike race.
The cycling star, 24, overtook Vitor Koretzky in a daring move on the final lap to defend his Olympic title, having recovered from an early puncture.
Partisan supporters could be heard jeering Pidcock as he crossed the line at Elancourt Hill, before the star also received a few boos during his victory ceremony.
In an emotional video, the gold medalist said: ‘It’s a shame the French were booing me. That’s not really the spirit of the Olympics. But I do understand that the French are very passionate, they wanted Victor to win.
‘That was understandable. But they didn’t boo the rock that made me puncture.’
Team GB gold medal winner Tom Pidcock was booed as he crossed the finish line in the Olympic men’s mountain bike race
In an emotional video, the gold medalist said: ‘It’s a shame the French were booing me’
Tom Pidcock defended his Olympic cross-country mountain bike gold in dramatic fashion
Reacting to the video online, one social media user said: ‘Tom Pidcock’s emotional reaction to the booing is understandable, especially after his gold medal victory.
‘It’s disheartening to face negativity despite achieving such a remarkable feat.’
Pidcock and Koretzky had battled for the lead in the final lap of a dramatic race at Elancourt Hill.
The defending champion had caught Koretzky after battling back from a 40 second deficit following an earlier puncture.
Koretzky launched an attack on the final lap to briefly distance Pidcock, but the 24-year-old stormed back to close the gap again.
The British star took the lead in stunning fashion by edging ahead on a narrow section, with the rivals taking different routes on the path.
Pidcock and Koretzky nearly collided but avoided a crash, but the move proved key as the Briton pulled clear of the Frenchman to storm to the finish and win gold.
The French crowd, however, booed Pidcock as he crossed the line nine seconds clear of Koretzky, with the home favourite taking silver.
