World Cup Round 6 - Nové Město na Moravě

It seems like only yesterday that we were heading towards Dalby Forest and Offenburg for our first World Cup experiences, yet four months on and the team are heading off to the final two World Cups in the Czech Republic and Italy.  Having gained that all important World Cup experience we were looking forward to getting things perfect in our preparation and made our way across five countries and over 900 miles to a stunning location 200km from Prague in the town of Nove Na Mesto for round six of the UCI World Cup series.

With an extra place available on our team bus we had decided to invite CNP-Orbea rider, John Whittington along with us - a well liked rider among the UK Mountain Biking fraternity, John had recently placed 7th in the UK National Championships and wanted to have a good crack at the final two World Cups. 

The team arrived early Thursday morning and got straight to work, setting up the team area in the impressive Expo village.  It became clear straight from the outset that this was going to be a special World Cup.  After practice on Friday the team were ready for there third World Cup.

Saturday - race day.  Alex would be competing in his third World Cup and had a good ranking of 31st amongst a field of 70+ riders.  After a difficult start Alex found himself mid pack, and fighting hard to stay in contention.  After two laps and the race had settled, he soon started weaving his way through the field and worked his way back into the top 40 before a mechanical on the final lap cost him dearly leaving him to finish 49th and a little dejected after the hard work had been so cruelly undone.

Next up was Rourke and after some bad luck in the last two Euro World Cups he was looking for a solid result to take into the World Championships in three weeks time.  There was still no luck for the talented South African though and a bad start left him with a lot of work to do as he slipped into the fifties having been gridded 21st.  A crash and mechanical shortly afterwards left him with an impossible task but the gutsy rider put in three stunning final laps to move through the field to 35th and a solid result considering the early problems.  

The Czechs had done their homework and put on an awesome show, a good rooty technical course, great facilities and one of the best crowds ever witnessed at a World Cup left us with a good feeling that this will be a regular on the World circuit.

Sunday saw an even larger crowd as our guest for the trip; John Whittington took to the line amongst the world's best Elite riders.  Some stomach problems had left John wondering weather to take part at all but a gutsy effort saw him complete three laps of the course.  

One of the best rides by a British woman in many years came from Annie last who rode a strong race from start to finish to place 6th and only seconds from a podium spot.  Liam Killeen had a steady ride after a poor start and their was heartbreak for Oli Beckingsale after a solid performance for the majority of the race, he crashed on the final descent and left the venue by Ambulance with a suspected broken femur.

The biggest story of the day was the fantastic crowd who welcomed home their hero, world cup winner and the fastest guy in the world right now, Jaroslav Kulhavy.  These people really know how to support cycling and show respect and we cant wait to come back here next year.

Advertise your business/event here »