Interview Anna Kay

Last Winter has been the breakthrough season for Anna Kay. Her 8th place in the overall World Cup standings proved her cosistency and her 3th place at the worldchampionshps showed that she can also prepare herself for the big moments. The 21 years old rider from the Starcasino Team is part of a new strong generation of British riders that got into cyclocross in recent years. How did she experience the last season and how she's looking forward to the upcoming Winter? Let's talk to the rider herself and prepare already for an exciting Winter full of grass and mud again.

The cyclocross season is getting closer, how are you preparing for it now?

SInce my break after the CX season I’ve had a really good build of training. Last year I had a knee injury in April/May which hindered my pre season training quite alot. However this year I’ve been able to my first full Endurance block March/April, and then built in a lot of specific strength/power work along with gym sessions. Now, with it still being unsure of how late the season will be pushed back, I am still incorporating alot of longer/strength and power based efforts but also building in some top end stuff like Cyclocross specific efforts. And just having finished a training block in Belgium and tested out our new Specialized Starcasino bikes, i can now start to build in some technical work on the CX bike!

What did you learn from last season?

I learned ALOT! I learned more about how to actually race, previously I would just be racing for 20th and its very different to be racing in the middle of the field as it is to actually being in the race or fighting for a podium. There is still a lot i think i need to learn regarding race tactics but I’m sure with more experience it will come. I also learned how to bunny hop hurdles last year which was pretty cool, and also that having confidence in your ability really helps.

How do you prepare yourself on the race day itself? How do you plan your race day?

On race day I like to do a lap of the course even if I’ve done a lap the day before or in the week because the conditions can always change with the weather. The team make it easy for me with having the bus i can just get on a change and bikes always ready for when i need them. Usually I’d get there 10ish do a lap or 2, come back to the bus to get changed and eat a pre race meal. Usually after that i find i like to do a little walk just to keep my legs active, maybe to the side of the course to look at the conditions or too say good luck to my boyfriend before his race! I would get on the turbo 50-45 minutes before, warm up for 20/25 mins and quickly change base layer and shoot over to the start line 15-10 mins before. - one thing i learned from last year is to always wear more layers then you think you need because its not great being cold while your on the start line!

Do you prefer to do your warming up with or without music and what is your favourite kind of music?

I always like to listen to music because i feel like i can be in my own little world and really focus. I started the season listening to quite upbeat and pop music (I also like reggae because its what me and my dad used to listen to before our first ever mtb races when i was little!). But i found towards the end of the season i needed slower calming music as this helped combat my nerves a little bit. I also find listening to songs that bring back happy memories are good to listen to because it makes you come out of that race bubble a little bit which helped nerves too.

What are your ambitions for the upcoming season?

I think just to build on my season last year would be great. I had such a stand out year for me last year and so I know it will be hard to make such big improvements year on year but because of how much i learned last year i feel i can bring that to my racing next year, and I’ve had such a positive training block throughout lockdown, this should give me the confidence i need to make another step forward. A big goal of mine will be the World Cup series, and National Champs. I think this season will be very exciting in the U23 series as we are all pretty close together so the u23 euros and worlds i think will be very exciting races to race!

You're part of a new golden generation British cyclocross racers. Is cyclocross getting more popular in the UK or what brings so much British talent into the sport now?

Yes cyclocross is so popular in the UK right now. I think because British Cycling has a real focus on youth racing and cycling clubs, young kids can develop through these clubs and learn the basic skills, so often young riders have really high technical abilities because of the clubs they have come through. I think also with the likes of Helen and Nikki they have shown it is possible for British riders to race at the top level in Belgium, this inspired me. But also i think with the likes of Tom Pidcock and Evie Richards racing at the top level in World Cups etc, has inspired a generation of Kids, even me when i started racing at a higher level 3 years ago.

At the worldchampionships in Dubendorf

What are your favourite tracks? Which parcours did you like the most in the past season?

I love the tracks that have a bit of everything, mud, runups, corners, stairs, hurdles. I think Hulst is my favourite course, it’s like a rollercoaster so many ups and downs. I also love Diegem because it’s so fast and like a road race, but i also love the atmosphere there. I raced the European champs a few years ago in Rosmalen (which i think is the same place its held at for 2020) and really liked this course, it was so twisty and in the woods and some short sand sections. I really love Namur and Tabor too, there just epic courses!

Do you believe that cyclocross racing will stay almost the same next Winter or did you hear about any measures that will be taken against the coronavirus?

I hope it will be as near to normal as possible. I’ve heard there might be slight changes in race times but that isn’t a problem really, i think I’d prefer to race in the morning anyway! I think maybe the season will be delayed/pushed back but again that might be better for a younger rider like me. It gives me more time to prepare and get stronger but also if the season is condensed, this means a shorter period of time to be in top form which i think is harder for a younger rider too. I think we will probably have to live with this virus for a while, but it doesn’t mean some sort of normality cant be found. And with certain measures i think Cyclocross racing can be made safe, eg with social distancing and masks when close together.

Thanks for the interview, Anna!

Interview Katerina Nash

She started her carreer as a skier and took part at the Olympics twice where she almost won a medal. But this wouldn't be the only highlight in her sports carreer. Katerina Nash is now one of the big stars in cyclocross for almost two decades. She won bronze medal on the worldchampionships in 2011 and 2017 and she's winning already World Cup races for 10 years now. She's not only contributing to the sport in the mud itself, but also in multiple commissions where she tries to work on a better sport together with other leading people in cyclocross. Let's get a nice chat with the Czech superstar of cyclocross.

You've been among the best in cyclocross for many years now, what is the most memorable moment in your carreer so far?

Thank you. SO many good moments over the years. Big highlight was my first World Cup win in Roubaix. It was later in my cycling career and I’ve had all the podium places in both Mtb and CX except that top step. That day I managed to beat Mariane and Hanka overtaking them both later in the race and heading for my first win in that iconic stadium.

You took part in the Olympic Games in Cross County Skiing. Do you think that Cyclocross should become an Olympic Sport as well?

I would love to see CX at the Winter Games. It could be a big party, close to the Olympic Village and have all the winter athletes come out with their beers and enjoy the show. Of course, the cyclist would take it very seriously but for everyone else it could be a great ending to the games. There are very few events during the Winter Games where bunch of people line up together and go for it. Many sports are either TT style or judged or tournament style. I think it would be exciting to have a CX race. I’m a fan of the idea….

Your country Czechia has always been one of the best countries in cyclocross but there haven't been a new Czech star in cyclocross since the generations of you and Stybar. Do you think there is a reason for that?

I really don’t know specifically but I assume lot of that comes to funding and the fact CX isn’t Olympic Sport. Less funding and less glory. Maybe kids aren’t choosing CX these days. I hope things are changing with the additions of junior women category and the overall better opportunities for younger riders. I like what the Czech National Team is creating but maybe we need few more years. The interest is there, the talent is there. It’s just a long way to get there. I didn’t start racing CX until later 20’s. Maybe will see some of the MTB stars giving it a try in the future.

What are your plans for the upcoming cyclocross season and how are you preparing for it now?

I have no plans right now. The World’s situation is still very difficult and scary. I’m actually MTB racer as far as my contract goes. I don’t think will see any of the events I was scheduled to race this year. There is a small chance I once again figure out a way to do some CX this winter but I’m hesitant to travel right now and will only do so if it’s safe for me and everyone around me.

You've been racing in the USA and in Belgium. Are there differences between both cyclocross scenes? Differences in tracks or in atmosphere?

I’ve raced everything and everywhere. I’ve done good amount of racing in Belgium but I have never raced full winter in Europe. I float between all the MTB and CX racing on both continents and I like it all. There are some differences butit’s about how you approach it and what you make out of it. I have friends in Europe and US and I’m thankful to have great fans on both continents. I was lucky to spend some time at home in Czech last winter and did few races over there. It was really special to reconnect with my Czech fans again too. As far as course I just ride them and focus on how I can be the best on any course. I don’t focus too much on what is Belgium and what is American. Even in America the courses are so diverse and different that I can’t define what US course is all about. I’ve seen it all.

How did you discover cyclocross?

On TV growing up in Czechoslovakia. Alison Dunlap shocked me first year at LUNA when she said she has been racing CX in the winter. It took another few years until I tried. This time it was Georgia Gould who really introduced me to it. I’ve been into cross ever since and even though I’m a full time summer racer I keep coming back to cross every winter.

What are your favourite kind of tracks?

Namur style. Jingle Cross style. Climbing, descending, mud, not too much pavement.

Women cyclocross has been in the shadow of the men's for many years in Europe. Do you believe that the gap became smaller with full live coverage and higher price money? Do you believe that women cyclocross developed a lot in Europe in recent years?

Yes! It’s getting better. I entered the discipline when there was no money, no media coverage, no parking near by…..it was bit of a shock to come from US racing where CX looked more like MTB where we were making same prize money and getting same coverage. It’s been so fun to watch the progress. I don’t think the work is done but it’s improving and that is what we need to keep working on. Sometimes we need to remind the younger generation where the discipline came from and how much improvement we have made so thank you for asking this question. I think women’s racing is very exciting and I’m glad to see the change!

What is your opinion on the new World Cup format? Do you agree with it or would you have changed things?

I would love to be in my 20’s and have as many World Cups as were planned for the year. I think it will be good for the series to maintain more consistent schedule. Something like ski racing. It just happens most weekends during the winter and people tune in all the time. The older World Cup schedule had too many gaps in between. Of course, I understand that those gaps had all the other

racing. As a fan of the sport I like where it’s heading. As 40+ year bike racer living in California I wasn’t planning to be there for all of them. Logistically it’s too difficult. Like I said I would have been all over it 20 years ago and would made bigger commitment to the disciplines.

You're part of the UCI athlete commission. Can you describe your tasks and what this commission is doing?

I’m part of 3 different commission. CX, Management, and Athlete’s. Athletes bring their perspective and experience from the field and the UCI takes those points into consideration and makes changes if changes are needed. We are not specifically working one this or that because all the athletes are very busy with their own job. AC is a great place to learn about all the other disciplines and our sport in general. We may be connected by a bike, but we are very diverse group

of people. It is the other commissions that execute more rules and changes. Each discipline has its own commission and at least one racer is part of that commission as well. For cyclocross commission it’s me and Eva Lechner. Our race perspective has been valuable. I’m also part of the management commission and always fighting for everything off road related.