Cyclo-cross question

[Taylor]

I've been watching a fair few races recently from the elite men and women but my q relates to the men's races.
Why does our lad, Tom Pidcock always start in the middle of the bunch, I'm guessing it's seeded as MVDP, Van Aert always start on the front row but as Tom is current British national champion, why does he not get a place on the front row?

[GregMay]

It's based on overall UCI points accumulated in the 12 months before. He doesn't have that many, simple as that.

EDIT: Also, it bears no influence who is national champion of where. Overall, he's not that good in the grand scheme of CX. A lot of significantly better Dutch, French and Belgian riders.

[pistonbroke]

The UCI rules state that to start on the front row of a Cyclocross race you have to have "Van" in your name. Tom Van Pidcock could be a good move.

[Taylor]

So it’s not done on the previous race, more last years form?

[GregMay]

Also lets me use one of my all time favourite pieces of footage of Bradley:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pt5h-rnsF6I

FDJ had a lot of good CX riders back in the day and insisted all their riders partook in early season training.

[GregMay]

So it’s not done on the previous race, more last years form?

Well yeah... like all UCI races. XCO is the exact same

[Taylor]

So it’s not done on the previous race, more last years form?

Well yeah... like all UCI races. XCO is the exact same

Thanks for clearing that up.