World Cup Nove Mesto #2

Deja vu for the riders of Trek Factory Racing

As unique a race week as there ever was came to a close this weekend with the second cross country Olympic distance event (XCO) in a span of four days. The team had been riding high after solid results in the short track event, and continued the consistent results to the full distance event.

For the women’s team, the top results were Evie Richards in sixth place, followed by Emily Batty in 30th. Jolanda Neff would drop out after not feeling well. For the men’s side, Stephane Tempier took a strong seventh place, and Anton Cooper finished in 23rd.

A solid warm up prior to a hectic race on the rocks

Go time in Nove Mesto, again

Jolanda fought well, but ultimately would bow out due to fatigue

I tried everything I could, but my body just didn’t feel well at all. When it’s like that, its hard to push, and I just didn’t want to put myself in a place where I wouldn’t recover before World Champs.
-Jolanda Neff-

Evie kept her good form moving with another top-10

It’s been a bit of a crazy full gas week and I can’t believe the World Cup season is finished now. I really shocked myself in the short track and fell in love with the XCC. I was so worried about being rubbish at this race that I really can’t believe I’ll be heading home to celebrate my victories ! It’s been the most amazing week with Trek, and has filled my soul with so much joy spending time with all the wonder staffs and riders. Fingers crossed we don’t leave it seven months till the next races!
-Evie Richards-

Evie heads into next weekend with a good bit of confidence

A busy section of the trail, handled well by Jolanda

Emily on her way to a 30th place

Evie brought a friend along for her journey to sixth place

Anton warming the mullet for World Cup action

Start line for France's favorite, Stephane

Stephane raced with an elite group to the line

Crazy race, with seven riders coming into the final sprint. I was fifth when I came back on the lead group in the last downhill section. I wanted to overtake and get in front of the group before the sprint but I could not. I am sad because I lost my first podium in the last meters. But some positive thing: shape is good and Worlds is already next Saturday!
-Stephane Tempier-

Stephane will take his good form into World Champs this coming weekend

Anton in the battles

Overall, a solid weekend for Anton

Really happy with my short track performance yesterday to take seventh and bag a front row start. Unfortunately this morning before the XCO I woke up feeling under the weather and fighting a bit of a cold. I felt terrible during my warm up but managed to find a half decent rhythm in the race and battle away to finish 23rd, less than two minutes down on the leader. I know my current form is a lot better than that but I felt like I achieved the maximum I could today with the cards I was dealt. Now it's time to rest up, get healthy and come out swinging next Saturday at World Champs!
-Anton Cooper-