Photo Epic: Golden Oldies from Nove Mesto
This weekend would have been the season opener for the XC World Cup in the tall pine forest of Nove Mesto, which is perhaps the best XC venue of them all. Long punishing climbs, tons of roots, and rock gardens that often cause chaos to make it the gem of a course that it is. Then there are the fans, a hoard that travels through the woods with the race with chain saws, air raid sirens, and noise makes of all other imaginable forms. Here's a bit of a look back of Nove Mesto past, and hoping we get to return in the fall.
Nino Schurter takes fourth place on the day. STXC 2019
20 minutes at that pace can leave you hurting. STXC 2019
Kate Courtney skipping down the Mitas rocks without anyone else in sight.
Kate Courtney was two for two after her strong performance in Nove Mesto.
Van der Poel up front while Schurter watches his chances at an attack slip away. MVDP would eventually take his first World Cup win.
In 2019, Mathieu van der Poel got the best of Nino Schurter.
Haley Smith kicked off 2019 with a bang. She started with a top 10 in Albstadt and then achieved a third-place finish in Nove Mesto - her first podium.
The back and forth between Schurter and MVDP was one for the books. 2019
Ronja Eibl took second for the U23 women. 2019
Women's podium - Courtney, Henderson, Smith, Frei, and Degn. 2019
Marika Tova was in near shock when she came across the line in third. 2018
Malene Degn has a touch and go moment on the BMX section on lap four but brought it back. 2018
The lovely ladies of Czech...... 2018
Emily Batty found her fire today and rode to an impressive fourth-place finish. 2018
A gassed Nino after edging out Cooper in 2018
Inches. Schurter and Cooper try and tear each other's legs off as they head for the line. 2018
The 2018 elite men's photo finish. Both elite races that year were action-packed.
Annika Langvad completely cooked after a long sprint fending off Jolanda Neff.
Annika Langvad and Jolanda Neff's fight in 2018 was as good as racing gets. It boiled down to a drag race down the finish straight.
Sam Gaze ran into trouble early with a crash and a front flat. He hung in there but he was too far out from a tech zone to make it back into contention. 2018
Cat and mouse games - After a full-throttle battle between the two all race long, Neff tried her luck to get Langvad to bite, but ended up being the cat who couldn't claw back.
Keeping cool before the heat. 2018
Tempier dragging Marotte up the long climb. Tempier finished sixth on the day and Marotte took fourth. 2017
Nove Mesto takes the pressure off you as long as you aren't Jarro. 2017
Nothing was holding back Nino. Like he never skipped a beat. 2017
Up the center. Over and Over. It takes its toll. 2017
Eat your sausages for strength, because you're not likely to find a vegetable in the near vicinity. 2017
Petter Fagerhaug racing home on the final lap. 2017
Evie brought the home fan club out. 2017
Evie Richards bombing Mitas Choice during an early race lead. A crash in Rock N' Roll would lead to a hard effort that in the end cost her the race. 2017
Once Kate Courtney made the pass, she turned on the afterburners and never looked back. 2017
The crowds were next level. Racers ears are going to be ringing for days. 2016
Reveling is hard work. Best to take a union break and have a beer. 2016
Jaroslav leading Nino up the hill on lap one. 2016
The one-two for Specialized. Today was sweet indeed. 2016
Maja Wloszczowska fought hard to get back to bronze after her flat but Emily Batty would hold her off in a dramatic sprint finish. 2016
Lea and Catharine pushing up the big hill. Catharine was having a top-five ride until fellow Canadian Emily Batty overtook her. 2016
Straight pines, a mob of screaming fans and one mean hill. Nove Mesto is one hell of an XC venue. 2016
Gunn Rita retires early after a start crash. 2016
Sabine Spitz was in good shape until lap five when a mistake in Rock and Roll cost her some time. 2014
Face plants in rock gardens with a cross country helmet are slightly unnerving. After smashing his face on the rock, he got up and kept going like it was nothing. He is assuredly feeling it tonight. 2014
Dan McConnell takes on water through the tech zone. McConnell had a great start, jumping out in front and then settled in about nineteenth place until the diesel engine kicked in and he started to plow through the field. McConnell took fourth today. 2014
Nino Schurter started back on the second row today and quickly moved into first place during the start loop. The World Champ never looked back and took an easy win here in Nove Mesto. Looks like the time off did him some good. 2014
Today was Pauline Prevot Ferrand's break out ride. The LIV Giant rider broke free early and amassed a 2:50 gap by the time she crossed the line. 2014
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The more I've been in mtb, the more respect I gain for XC. When I first started all I cared about was whips and descending as much as possible. Which don't get me wrong, is proper fun, and no shame. But there is wayyyy too much shade thrown at XC from people riding huge bikes down dusty sidewalks.