It is always a special feeling returning to Nove Mesto, where I raced my first ever World Cup back in 2011.
I have had some great results here over the years and really enjoy the course and atmosphere that the Czech crowd always brings.
With the removal of the XCO start loop I knew that a strong short track performance was essential.
I started on the 4th row for the short track, and I had to be very patient over the first laps as the pace was so high.
The race for anyone outside the top 15 was in single file formation each and every lap until just two laps to go when some riders finally started to blow up and I was able to move forwards and make some overtakes.
A strong sprint finish meant I passed another couple of riders on the start finish straight to cross the line in 20th and net myself a 3rd row start for the XCO.
With no rest day between the XCC and XCO races this time (XCC Saturday, XCO Sunday), I focused heavily on my recovery and felt quite good on the first lap of the XCO race.
However, on laps 2 and 3 I really felt the pace with the sting in the legs and fell back a few positions.
I was also having to fight a bit of a mechanical issue with one of my gears skipping, which meant having to either shift to an easier gear to spin like crazy on the climbs or drop down 2 gears to get out of the saddle and grind away.
I lost a bit of momentum at times because of this and spent more physical and mental energy dealing with that than I would have liked. Afterwards it turned out there was a damaged tooth on that cassette which was causing the issue.
Despite this I was able to rally and finish strong over the second half of the race to claw some positions back and win the sprint for 33rd position.
As much as I would have loved a top 30 finish, especially when 29th was only 11secs ahead at the finish, I am content knowing that I gave it my everything and, in the end, achieved my best World Cup result since Mont Sainte Anne in 2023.
Next up Leogang for a chance to break into that top 30 in the XCO!