The Big Chess Game - XC World Cup Round 1, Nove Mesto
Here we are at the start of a new season of World Cup XC racing. It seems late in the year to get started, but there is a chill dampness to the air in the Cezch Republic that tells us winter just doesn't want to let go. Rain has been falling steadily in Nove Mesto and is forecast to continue through the weekend. It will make one of the most difficult tracks of the season that much tougher. The stage is set, but let's take a look at some of the key players in this year’s XC World Cup.
Irmo Keizer • Age: 36 • Years Shooting: 10 Irmo Keizer has been mountain biking since high school. Irmo loves nature, technical trails and landscapes and dislikes too many race lines and fire roads. Irmo has a strong passion for all sorts of mountain bike disciplines ranging from cross country, to enduro and downhill. Combining his passion of mountain biking and photography ten years ago, Irmo has been working as a photographer/editor in mountain biking ever since.
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 The stage is set here at the Nove Mesto Olympic XC ski center. The first XC World Cup of the season is about to begin. |
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| These bleachers will be jam-packed with cycling fans come Sunday. Hopefully they remember to bring some cushions. |
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| Bring your bike and stay at the Hotel Sport, you will surely be ready to race if you do. |
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| Surprisingly, many Soviet era cars are alive and well here in Czech. It's like a little time capsule. |
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| Soviet era architecture is all around Nove Mesto. |
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| Nove Mesto just may be the best of the XC tracks. It has brutal climbs, roots, mud, and some game-on technical descents. |
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| The dark pine forest is quiet now, but soon it will come alive with hordes of feverish fans; chainsaws, air raid sirens, vuvuzelas, and every other kind of noise-maker imaginable. |
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| Jaroslav Kulhavy is the clear choice for the people of Cezch, will he be able to out ride Schurter and Absalon though? Also, take notice of his new wheels. |
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| Catharine Pendrel, World Champ. That's a lot of pressure to carry, but this isn't anywhere near her first rodeo. |
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| Emily Batty has matured as a rider. She's not being dictated by other rider's tactics, but confident in employing her own. Early season results show that strategy is working well for her. She is hungry for the podium, and if it doesn't happen here in Nove Mesto, it will come soon. |
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| Julien Absalon is wearing the rainbow stripes for good reason. He knows how to push Nino Schurter's buttons in the heat of battle; possessing the strength and endurance to win. |
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| The track here in Nove Mesto has seen some rain during the last couple of days. We had a brief reprieve today, but the weather is supposed to turn sour once again tomorrow - it will become slippery once again. |
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| Nino Schurter. Will he be dominant again? Or will the likes of Absalon, and McConnell be able to take some of the gold from him. This first race of the year should give us some insight. |
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| The tamest of rock descents at Nove Mesto. This track throws it all at the riders. |
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| There are even high speed descents with jumps. Nove Mesto truly is a test of skill. |
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| Giacomo goes over every detail with a fine tooth comb. |
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| Jose Hermida. Quick with a joke, and, "the only World Cup racer with a mustache." Despite the sense of humor, there is a very serious racer in there, capable of some top-ten finishes. |
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| Dan McConnell will be one to watch this season. The diesel-powered Aussie National champ will be nipping at the heels of Schurter and Absalon, hungry to get that top spot. |
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| Tire choice will have a huge impact on this race Mud tires aren't providing the traction needed on the slick rocks and roots for most riders. |
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| Kiwi young gun, Anton Cooper, is sure to be a wild card this season. It would not be surprising to see him on the podium soon. |
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| Just try to find this girl in a bad mood. Jolanda Neff is always in for a good laugh and truely enjoys riding and racing mountainbikes. |
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| Racing around the pits all day, Absalon's son Tom gets his blood pumping. |
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| Manuel Fumic remains a contender for any podium. He's been very close last season, will he take that precious first place this year? |
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| Just like this little beast, Nove Mesto is ready for action. |
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| Bring it on. |
About the Photographers
Matthew Delorme • Age: 40 • Years Shooting: 8 Matthew DeLorme is just one of Pinkbike’s motley crew of World Cup photographers. He currently lives out of a Ogio bag, and calls the road his home. Delorme works for Trek Bicycle, covering their MTB racing programs. He can usually be found laying in the dirt trackside, cracking jokes and saying things that make little to no sense. He enjoys capturing accessory moments and the journey every bit as much as catching the action shot.
MENTIONS: @trek, @Cannondale, @SCOTT-Sports
Author Info:
Member since May 11, 2011
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and PB finally focus XC race seriously! way to go!