Pidcock misses the final battle with Van der Poel and Van Aert in Koksijde and also has to skip Gullegem and Zonhoven

Tom Pidcock has been withdrawn from the start list for Thursday's X2O Trophy in Koksijde due to illness. The race was anticipated to be the final showdown between Mathieu van der Poel, Wout van Aert, and Pidcock. However, this clash seems unlikely to happen, at least until Benidorm (Jan. 21). INEOS Grenadiers has confirmed that the British rider will also be absent from the upcoming weekend's cyclocross races.

Pidcock had a challenging weekend recently, experiencing misfortune in both Hulst (Saturday, Dec. 30) and Baal (Monday, Jan. 1). Consequently, he had to make a double effort, leading to some evident frustration. In Zeeland, he resorted to a headbutt, while in Baal, he discarded his transponder immediately after finishing. Despite these setbacks, the Grenadier competed in both races, securing 25th and 12th places. His only victory this winter came in Namur.

Pidcock wasn't riding a World Cup anyway

Normally, Pidcock would have participated in the Koksijde race on Thursday, followed by a double in Gullegem and Zonhoven next weekend. However, all three cyclocross races for this week have been canceled, unexpectedly leaving a significant gap in his cyclocross winter schedule. Pidcock will now conclude his cyclocross season (without a World Cup event) in Benidorm on Jan. 21, where he will still compete against Van der Poel and Van Aert.