Barbora Bukovská Triumphs on Home ground!

Junior national team rider Barbora Bukovská confirmed her excellent form from previous competitions by winning the Junior World Series race, part of the Mountain Bike World Cup in Nové Město na Moravě.

She delivered a superb performance on the course, building on her bronze medal achievemens in earlier races in Nalles, Italy, and Haiming, Austria. In the home race, she quickly left her Swiss rival Grossmann behind and gradually built a decisive lead. She crossed the finish line with a commanding advantage of 1 minute and 22 seconds ahead of Canadian Rafaelle Carrier.

“I didn’t have any specific strategy, I just tried to go as hard as I could,” Bukovská said after the race. “The amazing atmosphere created by the fans along the course really helped, as did the preparation with the national team,” added the reigning world vice-champion, who became only the second Czech rider after Jaroslav Kulhavý to win in Nové Město na Moravě!

The great day for the Czech team was underlined by Lucie Grohová, who finished fifth, just over three minutes behind the winner.

In the junior men’s race, Czech rider Kryštof Bažant fought hard among 130 competitors from 26 countries for a top-ten finish, but couldn’t hold on in the final stretch and ended up eleventh.

“There was huge competition from all over the world. I hoped I could stay in the top ten, but the guys were stronger. I’m still satisfied,” commented Bažant.

The race was won by Austrian Anatol Friedl, ahead of Australian Wright and American Kiet.

The World Cup race program continues on Sunday with the elite cross-country events.