Hurikova - A well Done Job In Houffalize

Tereza Hurikova took her first important step towards Bejing at the first World Cup in Houffalize. This Belgian mountainbiking Mecca hosted the first of three nomination races for the Olympics, which were defined by the Czech team and Tereza’s personal coach, Jiří Lutovský. Her first start in this year’s season ended with a great 9th place and 3rd place in the U23 category. However the most important news is that Tereza has beaten her Czech rival Kateřina Nash, who is also fighting for the Olympics nomination. Kateřina finished in 26th place.



Tereza started off really well this time, which in Houffalize is up into a long and steep hill and managed to stay in the top ten right from the beginning of the race. The two Czech ladies rode through the start and first lap together. Afterwards Katka started to lose her position and fell back further and further in the race. Tereza, on the other hand, felt very well. “Compared to last year I have more power, I was too skinny a year ago. I feel really well, not just physicaly, but also mentaly,” said Tereza. In the last lap Tereza even had enough “arrogance” to cut off the European Champion from Germany, Sabine Spitz. “I was really looking forward to the race, so I wasn’t even nervous. I was dealing well with the technical sections of the race, which was good. I knew that Katka is far behind me and that helped me,” added Tereza. She cut through the finish line in 9th place, which is her 3rd best position in the World Cup (6th place in Offenburg 2007, 8th place in Champery 2007).

The first places of the race copied the history of previous races. The Chinese Ren Chen Gyuan kicked in her motor in the last lap and without a problem passed three of her rivals and won the race. Margarita Fullana from Spain was leading most of the race, however just as last year she was passed in the final lap not only by the Chinese, but also by Irina Kalentieva from Russia and Marie-Helene Premont from Canada.

Next Sunday will be the next important step before Tereza — the second World Cup race in Offenburg Germany, the second nomination race for the Olympic games. Tereza rode well in Offenburg last year, so let us hope that luck will be on her side also next weekend!

For more information on Tereza cick on the title link.