Interview Anna Panušová

In her first year in the U23 category, she was still fighting for top 20 spots in the elite races, this season, she became a rider for the top 10, in her native Czechia and abroad. Anna Panusova became one of the new cyclocross talents to keep an eye on. The currently 19 years old rider will try to make further progress in the coming World Cups abroad that she'll attend and is also building experience on the road. An intereview about her ambitions, feelings and an Olympic dream.

You had a strong start of the season so far. How are you looking back at your first months?

Well, it was better than I expected actually. I wasn’t exactly sure what the shape will be after the summer I spent in Belgium. Also my plan was to have shape for World Cup in Tabor and afterwards start the preparations for spring road season, which will be very hard.

What are the coming races on your schedule?

I want to finish all Czech cups and prepare well for the Nationals. I will be during Christmas period in Belgium to race on World cups and traditional Christmas races there as Diegem and others.

Which parcours do you like the most?

In cyclocross races is definitely better for me attractive parcour with lot of technique and some hills or sand. I don’t really like flats and that is the same at the road, I love mountains and hard races in the hills.

What are your ambitions in the sport?

I am always saying that I love what I do and trust that process. I will let the time to show what is in me. I do everything to become a pro and I will see what are my limits.

How did you discover cyclocross?

When I was in like U12 category I think the club in which I was in said, hey try cyclocross so I tried, and then it somehow became my the most favourite discipline.

There is a big chance that cyclocross will become Olympic in 2030. What would it mean to you?

Well I think, it would be really nice to have a chance to race there also we, as Czechia, could have more than only one start place as at road or mountain bikes. It is kinda unimaginable for me, but if there would be a chance to start at olympic games, it would be great.

What are your main interests outside the sport?

I am studying economics and I love to visit new places, especially going to the cities and discover new cultures and history of those places.

How do you feel during road cycling?

Until now it was for me as important as cyclocross and I always wanted to do my best. From March I will be in Velopro-Alphamotorhomes, which is women’s continental road team, so I will be able to start at some interesting races. However, it is still the ,royal discipline’.