Nove Mesto in Czech Republic welcomes us with beautiful weather every year and this time was much alike, with loads of funs to cheer. Friday was sprint competition, where qualification time came off pretty bad. But later on I moved higher and higher, remaining with the top3 in every consecutive sprint. Finally I was ranked at 5th place in Elite which is amazing, whilst such geat rivals like Hermida or Fontana were down for the count much sooner.
Sunday was XC race and much more difficult and longer than friday sprint. At the starting line were 160 guys and I was made out at 40th place. Right after the opening lap everyone fought for best place. Slight abstractedness and you loose a dozen or so places. First two rounds I rode between 25-30th position with Sven Nysen and Julien Absalon. Another laps I tried to control the pace, fending off attacks. I crossed the finish line at 35th place which is pretty good concidering my present scope.
Keep your finger crossed for my next race in France, where I am already, finding my feet with the cycle route, preparing for World Cup in La Bresse.
Over 160 competitors at a starting line and demanding race welcomed us in Houffalize. Weather conditions were changing all the time, temperature below 7 degree centigrade. Me, Marek Galiński and Piotr Brzóska were standing together at 50 place at the start. Just after a few metres started stiff uphill and we made it not going on foot, those behind us had to push their bikes.
I did my best to overtake guys before me but everyone was rinding firmly and evenly, so the highest position I made was around 30-th position. The pace was so immense there was no time to drink whatsoever. I crossed the finish line at 34 place with 6minutes lost to winner Julien Absalon. If it goes for me, I felt great and did pretty good job that day and show that I see my way for really good result.
Marek Konwa is picking up the pace and sets high level for Polish mountain cyclist by reaching another gold medal and 60 points, this time at UCI 1 category MTB race at Gorome (Turkey). We had 7 laps to go, each 4,4km. Over 30 degree centigrade and base that resambled one on the moon gave us pretty demanding ride. From the very beginning I sticked with the leading group that made a successful escape at first long uphill.
At the end of the first lap there was some fuss so I took my chance and gain 30 seconds of advantage over the second competitor. I hold it till the last lap, zooming out my predomination over the rest, crossing finish line as first and collect 60 point to olimpic qualification.
Another great performance of best Polish mountain biker Marek Konwa, who takes first place during Saturday ‘Ślężański Mnich’ race. 24 hours later repeats his one man show taking another victory during Thule MTB Cup in Gniezno. The weather at saturday was a disaster. It was pouring with rain and teams’ tent started to fly when wind blow strongly. The race itself was quite easy, with only one uphill at a lap. From the very beginning I rode away with a rider from Czech Republic, giving ourself constant shift. Till the last lap and uphill where I recover some energy and pushed forward and reached few seconds and crossed the finish line first – said Marek Konwa after the race.
24 hours later at Thule MTB Cup in Gniezno the weather was much better and quite warm. Interval and demanding laps with all the best riders in Poland. Only the first lap I rode with some of them. Rest of the race I managed to gain enough advantage and safely crossed the finish line at first position.
Marek Konwa (Milka Superior MTB Racing Team) after his last unfortunate race (flat tire) during the World Cup XC race in RPA proved his best crossing the finish line at the top 10 during this weekend XCO1 race in Langenlois – Austria
At the starting line there was more than a hundred rivals with world ranking guys like Thomas Litscher, Jaroslav Kulhavy or Karl Markt – all of them like me fighting for pre - olimpic point. And me – standing just between them, at the first line. Just before the first uphill all these boys took the very first position and left me no choice but to stick their wheel. We had six laps with 2 long uphills and downhills which I so-so like, rather technical section with bad weather condition.
I was riding all the race at the top 10 between 7-8 posiotion all the time, but finally managed to cross the finish line behind two guys I could not overtake at the final uphill section, taking 10th position overall. I am pleased to make it with such a high place, bearing in mind that overwhelming pace those guys told the rest where to go…
Now I am preparing for the World Cup that will be 14th of april in Houffalize – Belgium. Keep your finger crossed!
