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.