Czech Enduro Series: Rock Machine Enduro Race Jested

Rock Machine Enduro Race Jested was the second round of the Czech Enduro Series 2017. Racing on Jested is really popular and even this year riders could expect several varied and fun tracks, which were wounded close to the local dominant, the peak Jested. Five stages were prepared for the Race category and Hobby riders could enjoy four stages on the North of the Czech Republic. The physical and mental difficulty is very typical for Jested trails, where riders must always be in the maximum concentration to avoid crashes on endless roots, stones, rocks or in holes. High demands are not only for riders but also on bike material, so the right bike setting, choosing the right tires, pressure etc. is very important and it is worth to not underestimate it!




Almost 400 riders not only from the Czech Republic but also from Poland, Slovakia, Germany and other countries gathered at the start gate. This time among them was also the top Czech biker Michal Prokop, who was the main contender for victory and everyone wanted to beat him. Thanks to this the race was even more thrilling and spectacular racing was guaranteed. The competition was really high and only the slightest details decided about the winners.




The fastest rider of the whole weekend was, in the end, Michal Prokop, in Race Men U21 category won Martin Pešťák, in Race Men 30-39 category won Tomas Kutin and the fastest Race Men 40+ was Milan Čižinsky.

The women's race was won by Andrea Drengubakova and in Race Women, U21 category was the fastest German biker, Raphael Richter.

Even the hobby riders showed exciting racing. In Hobby Men dominated Ondrej Zyka, in category Women Hobby Kristýna Havlická and in the category Juniors Hobby was the fastest Lukas Elckner.



Even racing on Jested was challenging, the winner, Michal Prokop, enjoyed it a lot: "The Enduro on Jested was a very difficult race, just like every other year. The individual stages had downhill character, so there were many broken sections full of stones and roots. During the Saturday practice, many riders had punctures, including me, which made the training even more difficult. Sunday was fortunately without any flats and in the end, I didn´t have any problems. The race was very hard, I tried to choose the best possible lines to avoid any technical problems and possible mistakes that could slow me down. The most I enjoyed stage 5, which I think had the best flow. Finally, I took the first place so I could go home happy."


And how did one of the fastest female rider Andrea Drengubakova enjoy the second race of the Czech Enduro Series 2017? "Jested is one of the most difficult race for me every year and this year it was not different. The combination of technically demanding terrain jumps and, last but not least, pedaling parts makes Jested a really tough race. For me, the most difficult thing was to keep a 100% concentration up until the end because there was no space for little rest, and one felt like holding a jackhammer all the time. But I really appreciate the atmosphere, especially the crowd of people along the trails, who really made a big noise as they were cheering for each rider."


We also asked the winner in Race Men 40+ category, Milan Cizinsky, about the feelings after the race: "I like racing on Jested especially because the tracks are really hard and fast. Another advantage is the existence of a gondola and thanks to this, the race can have a higher elevation. The hardest thing for me was the week before the race because I had to use antibiotics, my right elbow hurt even on the road bike, and on Friday I had an accident with a motorbike. But Saturday was quite cool, shuttles with Milan Mysik and other friends were great fun. Speed is not there as I'm still taking the last tests of a new tire setting. If I had to evaluate the local trails, I have to say that it could easily be one day of a two-day EWS race. The trails practically do not miss anything of the big races. There are sections physically demanding, the stages are fast and technical, and if the next day would follow something on the other hills around Liberec, it would be really nice."


During the weekend the fastest rider in Race Men U21category was Martin Pestak, who commented the race with following words: "When I was training on the local trails on Saturday it was clear that this race will not be so difficult for riders as for the material. In the morning I stood at the start gate with a decision to ride safe, which eventually paid off. Especially after last year's experience when I was riding half of one stage just on the rim. Fortunately, my WTB saved me this time. Everything went the way it should go and the race went well, except a few small mistakes, which is probably normal. The trails on Jested are very broken, there are places which are broken probably too much for enduro. The best stage was the first one, that is 100% enduro trail. Other stages led through the Jested bike park, which looked like after the bombing. It was not that pleasant anymore, but I could still enjoy the downhill parts."


Complete results of the Rock Machine Enduro Race Jested 2017 can be found here.

The next race in the series is the Specialized Enduro Race Kliny, which will be held 16th July 2017. You can already register online.

See you in Kliny