Last season Kristýna Zemanová ranked among the ten elites in the under 23 category at the European and World Championships and confirmed herself as the best Czech cyclist in the women’s category by winning the Czech Republic Cup and becoming national champion. “This year I would like to improve the results even more,” she said in an interview with Aktuálně.cz.
Where did the road go to eighth place at the European Championship and seventh place at the World Championship?
In a word, all kinds. I am a very unpredictable person, I have to have freedom and do things my way. The coach respected my decision not to train with the team, but alone, as I see fit. I felt I needed it so much. And the results have arrived.
Are you surprised?
For example, I had the idea that I would be around 10th place among women in the Czech Republic Cup. At the same time, I won four races and finished fourth twice, which meant first place overall. I was very happy with the first results on the international stage.
At eighteen, you became the Czech cyclocross champion. What does it mean for you?
It’s a good feeling, but that’s it. The new season started two weeks ago with a race in Germany, where I noticed a certain change in performance, but at the same time I didn’t miss the fact that there is still a lot to work on. I’m fine, I’m looking forward to the season and I want to enjoy every race.
Has your preparation for the new year changed in any way?
It remained standard, only the training doses increased a bit. I am looking forward to the World Cup races, where I will have the opportunity to learn about the qualities of women’s cyclocross, to learn a lot more and to progress a little more. My wish is to jump from 20th place about five places and make my way through the five elite in the under 23 category at the championships.
Do you think this is realistic?
We will see him immediately after the first races. Today, however, Dutch, French, Belgian and Italian women are an undisputed force, and among non-European cyclocross women, Americans. However, their training is completely different from ours, but I would like to get closer to them.
What is that?
It is certainly due to the fact that the overall life in these countries is completely different from ours. Some Czech cyclocrossists have decided to play sports outside the Czech Republic, but I don’t think about it at all. I can’t imagine leaving my family, my friends, my friends.
You are a high school student. How difficult is it to simultaneously belong to the group of the best athletes since 2019?
It’s not easy and I often wonder if I’ve put too much weight on myself. So far I can manage both, and I hope that next year I will be able to pass the matriculation exam as well. Sometimes, however, studying costs me a lot of time and nerves. But I am lucky that the professors are accommodating and help me.
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