MTB News: Jaroslav Kulhavy will no longer compete for the successful Specialized Racing Team in the 2019 season. The 2012 Olympic champion undoubtedly caused a surprise by announcing his own team. In the interview, the 34-year-old Czech looks back on the last season and also dares to look into the future.
Jaroslav, how did your winter and the preparation for the 2019 season go?
The preparation was pretty good. I started three weeks later than usual, but that's okay. The World Cup starts later this year.
You will continue to ride Specialized bikes, but in 2019 for your own team, Kulhavy Racing. What made you decide to set up something of your own and when did you decide to do it that way? Why didn't you stay with the very successful team Specialized Racing?
Yes, I will be driving for my own project in 2019. After the 2019 season, I thought about changes and new motivation. And this combination is perfect. I am very happy that I can continue to ride on Specialized. The message from Specialized that they would support me with bikes came quite late - of course I spoke to other teams but nothing interesting came up in the end. My own project gives me more freedom and greater motivation.
You are 34 years old. Is this change a window into Jaroslav Kulhavy's future? A career as a team manager, like Thomas Frischknecht, Ralph Näf, Bart Brentjens or others?
Yes, this can be the start of a "team of the future", but at the moment I still have many goals for this and the 2020 Olympic season. We must also have reliable partners for 2020.
For you, Cyprus and the Sunshine Cup is a kind of door into the cross-country season year after year. What's worth repeating that every year?
I love Cyprus and the Sunshine Cup is the perfect training before the real action. There are also many world ranking points. So it is the best choice. It might sound like a boring program to be in Cyprus every year, but I like it - every stage is fun and nice to ride 🙂
In 2018 you also rode the Afxentia, as did your Specialized teammate Howard Grotts. You raced against each other in Cyprus, but a few weeks later you won the Absa Cape Epic with him. How important are these days to have in Cyprus? Are you still discussing things or are you getting used to each other?
I think it's good to be in contact with your partner a few weeks before the epic. We test our condition, the bikes and other material. The intensity of the competition and contact with the terrain is also important after the winter.
Last year you won the Cape Epic for the third time with Howard, but after that the season didn't go smoothly. In retrospect, what were the reasons for this?
A few things came together, but the main reason was an issue with breathing at peak intensity. It's quite a problem for the Cross-Country World Cup when you can't give 90 percent, you can only give 95 or XNUMX.
And what exactly caused the breathing problem?
It looks like it was mainly a muscular issue that probably started after my most recent injuries - a broken kneecap and broken wrist. As a result, there was a problem with an imbalance in the muscles and a weakness in the trunk.
Looking ahead to 2019, what is your biggest goal, what is important to you in the upcoming season?
The first destination is the Cape Epic. Then I would like to get my old performance back in the World Cup. And qualifying for the Olympics is also a goal.
Speaking of the World Cup, what do you think of the new short track format in the World Cup?
The short track changes a lot. There are so many riders with ambitions, but you can also be tired for cross-country racing. It's a matter of priorities. The XCC format can be good for spectators and it's an opportunity for sponsors when the riders have two races a week.
Personally, what did you learn about the impact of Friday night's short track on Sunday's cross-country race?
Mainly it changed my last workout before cross country racing. I usually have a rest day (Friday), now there is the short track. That's why I had to rebuild the last four days before the cross-country.
You won gold and silver at the Olympic Games. Are the Tokyo 2020 games still a major goal?
Surely. if I'm healthy, then Tokyo is a very important destination. My program remains almost the same. Cross-country plus a few stage races and marathons. Maybe I'll do a few more road races for training.