Cherie Redecker will aim to have fun, stay focused and believe in herself when she lines up for the mountain bike World Cup race in Nove Mesto, Czech Republic, this weekend.
“As much as it will be great to get a good result my main focus at the moment is just to have fun racing my bike,” said the Head Ciclo XC Team with X-sight rider.
“I’m really excited for Nove Mesto and it’s a very special race for me. It was the first race I competed in in Europe [in 2014] and the first World Cup where I didn’t get lapped [2015].”
Head Ciclo XC Team with X-sight’s Cherie Redecker will line up for the elite women’s race at the mountain bike world cup in Nove Mesto this weekend. Photo: Armin M. Küstenbrück / EGO-Promotion
The 29-year-old said she remembered crossing the line and feeling like she had just won the race, especially with Dan Jarvis commentating and congratulating her over the microphone.
Redecker, who feels her strength lies is climbing – especially on a track where the climbs are in sections – says the route has a bit of everything, with a good balance between natural and man-made obstacles.
“The climbing is broken up, so instead of one long climb you have a few short steep ones. The descending is tough with either roots scattered all over or tricky rock sections.
“I’ve also been working on my technical skills, so hopefully I can also use the descents to my advantage.”
She felt the course was more suited to a full-suspension bike, but she had competed on a hardtail one before and managed. “This year I have the option, so I will test them both before the race.”
Redecker said the event fitted in well with her racing calendar, with three races in a row. First it was the MTB Bundesliga followed by the World Cup in Albstadt and now the World Cup in Nove Mesto na Morave.
“I was really tempted to do the Swiss Cup in Gränichen next weekend, a race I have not missed since 2014, but I’ve decided it will be too much racing.
“The last few years I’ve been on a constant drive chasing races and points and I’ve decided to do something different this year. Instead I’ll be going for a fun weekend away with friends shredding trails at the Trail Days Festival in Slovenia.
“I’m really looking forward to it and it will be a great opportunity to improve my skills.”
Redecker, who is currently living in Germany with her husband, placed 54th in last weekend’s world cup in Albstadt and felt that the race was tough with the mud, several crashes and a few technicals.
“On paper my result does not look great, but I’m proud to have pushed through until I got pulled off at the 80% [mark].
“It was the first time in a race where I felt confident and excited to race in the mud. I did however seem to crash a lot due to lack of concentration or another rider passing me at a crazy spot, forcing me to take a bad line.”
She added that, despite the crashes, she managed to stay composed and kept going. “There are some great positive moments I’m taking away from the race. It’s a race I will remember.”
Redecker, who has raced a great deal internationally and locally, felt that racing overseas was on another level.
“In Europe there are more XCO races to choose from and it’s not so far to get there. The level of competition is higher and you’re always fighting for position. Local races are still important for points and where I get the opportunity I try to come back for some.”
