MTB Shorts

The Alphabet of XC - YZ

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BY: Anna Buick

Published: 4th December, 2013


The final instalment of the alphabet of XC

Y is for Youth



Youths have a bit of a bad rep, but in cross-country mountain biking we're all lovely, and the Youths are no exception. 

Across the country, across a range of levels, the Youth category is thriving. The U17 races are well populated and well worth taking note of. The races are exciting, the depth of talent is really encouraging and the dedication and determination is very impressive.
 
At this year's national XC series the Youth Male category has attracted field sizes of between thirty and fifty, while the Youth Female category normally reaches around fifteen riders. Fifteen riders does not seem a lot, but it is often some of the most exciting racing of the weekend, with a group of eight or so girls not worth betting against for the win. The final national race of this season at Hadleigh Farm was brilliant, with the girls attacking each other and the lead constantly changing. This is proper racing. The boys produce some fantastic racing too, again with a large group of strong talents contending for the win. 

It is also great to see that the riders are good friends and share their race-weekends, and sometimes their training, together. So much of what is important to Youth racing is having fun.

Hopefully the bonds of friendship and a genuine love for their sport will see them through into the Junior category where there has historically been a sharp decrease in participation.

The 'Youth of today' are great! I hope they will continue to race and become the Elite stars of tomorrow.

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Z is for Zakelj



For Tanja Zakelj, 2013 was a breakthrough year. At least it was in terms of her name becoming well-known and her top World Cup results becoming increasingly less surprising. 

However, Zakelj was no stranger to the podium pre-2013. In fact, she had stepped atop the podium on two very significant occasions before: in 2006 as Junior World Champion, and in 2008 as U23 World Champion.

Her successful Junior and U23 years attracted a huge following at home in Slovenia who, for all those unsure, clarify her name at the top of their voices whilst chasing her around courses waving unmanageable  large flags. 

Tanja was also 10th at the London Olympic Games. It is a great result, especially for a 23 year old. However, as she has since explained, the pressure of the Olympic Games - both qualification and racing - actually stifled her success. Without the weight of the Games on her shoulders, Zakelj has really blossomed as an elite rider. She is the 2013 World Cup overall winner, having won in both Nove Mesto and Val di Sole, and European Champion. 

Going into 2014 she will again feel the weight of expectation. However, I imagine that leading the World Cup series this season will have taught the young rider a great deal, and I have the feeling that next season will herald another stunning year for the small, and very smiley, Slovenian. 

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Well, that's it for the Alphabet of XC. Hope you've enjoyed the ride. If you have only just joined the party, fear not, A - X are in handy little links below...

Also check out: ABC - DEF - GHI - JKL - MNO - PQR - STU - VWX




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Anna
 

Anna Buick

http://www.fromthepits.co.uk/

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This blog post was written by a third party and their views do not necessarily reflect the views of XCRacer.com

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