Czech number one at eighteen. I have to do things my way, says the talented Zemanová

Where did the road to eighth place at the European Championship and seventh place at the World Championship lead?

In a word, all kinds. I am a very unpredictable person, I have to have freedom and do things my way. The coach respected my decision not to train with the team, but on my own, as I see fit. I felt that I needed it so much. And the results came.

Did you surprise yourself?

For example, I had the idea that I would be around the tenth place among women in the Czech Cup. At the same time, I won four races and finished fourth twice, which meant overall first place. I was very happy with the first results on the international stage.

At the age of eighteen, you became the Czech cyclocross champion. What does that mean for you?

It’s a nice feeling, but that’s about it. The new season started two weeks ago with a race in Germany, where I noticed a certain shift in performance, but at the same time I didn’t miss the fact that there is still a lot to work on. I’m fine, I’m looking forward to the season and I want to enjoy every race.

Has your preparation for the new year changed in any way?

It remained standard, only the training doses increased a little. I am very much looking forward to the races in the World Cup, in which I will have the opportunity to get to know the quality of women’s cyclocross, to learn a lot again and to progress a little again. My wish is to jump from 20th place by approximately five places and push my way into the elite five in the under-23 category at the championships.

Do you think this is realistic?

We will see that right after the first races. Today, however, the Dutch, French, Belgian and Italian women are an indisputable force, and among the non-European cyclocross women, the American women. However, their training is completely different from ours, but I would like to get closer to them.

What is it?

It is certainly due to the fact that the overall life in these countries is completely different from ours. Some Czech cyclocrossers have decided to do sports outside the Czech Republic, but I am not thinking about that at all. I can’t imagine leaving my family, friends, friends.

You are a high school student. How difficult is it to belong to the group of top athletes at the same time since 2019?

It is not easy and I often wonder if I have put too heavy a burden on myself. So far, I can manage both, and hopefully next year I will be able to pass the matriculation exam as well. Sometimes, however, studying costs me a lot of time and nerves. But I am lucky that the professors are accommodating and help me.