Vysočina Aréna in Nové Město na Moravě in Moravia has hosted the MTB World Cup fives time now, with the International Cycling Union naming it the best World Cup event of the year for each of those years. This year was no different.
The local track is renowned not only for its man-made technical sections, but also for its natural obstacles. Countless roots make for insidious hurdles, and this year’s wet weather made the track even more difficult than usual.
The winner of the men’s category, Jaroslav Kulhavý, remarked on the spectators and their support: “I was sometimes afraid I’d lose my hearing… They were so loud, but it was just awesome to have such support.”
In the Elite women’s category, the famous Norwegian rider Gunn-Rita Dahle was defeated by Jolanda Neff of Switzerland, twenty years her junior.
The women started the race in front of full-capacity stands. Organizers were thrilled by the number of spectators: 14,300 of them came to Vysočina Aréna to support the riders.
Fun for the whole team: mechanics, managers, physiotherapists and other members of the racing teams competed in the ToiToi night race, with a keg of Czech beer as the winning prize.
Winners: World Cup XCO Round 1 – Nove Mesto
- Elite men – Jaroslav Kulhavý
- Elite women – Jolanda Neff
- U 23 Men – Lars Forster
- U 23 Women – Jenny Rissveds
Rest of the gallery
All photos by Michal Cerveny for WeLoveCycling.com
