The night cross in Diegem, which is the fifth round of the Superprestige, didn’t go as planned. However, Zdenek did have a good start and was able to stay in the wheel of eventual winner Niels Albert for a while, but eventually fell back to eighth. “But I do feel some progress.”
This year’s race began later than usual, at 7:30pm under the lights. There wasn’t too much mud on the course so it became a technical race. Zdenek got off to a good start and immediately forced the pace during the first lap.
“With that attack I only tired out one rider: myself,” he said honestly after the race. Niels Albert went on the attack a few laps later and was successful. The world champion was initially able to keep up with him and Kevin Pauwels joined them a little later.
But the trio didn’t stay together for long. “My legs were good, but it was too fast for me. I had to let Niels and Kevin go and after that I had a hard time,” he said. Zdenek later saw Bart Aernouts pass him, along with Sven Nys and Bart Wellens.
Zdenek ended up finishing in eighth, almost a minute behind Albert. “I’m not really pleased with my result, but I’m happy that I’m feeling some progress,” he said positively. In the overall Superprestige standings, Zdenek falls to third, 10 points behind the leader, Nys.
Next week will be a busy one with the World Cup race in Heusden-Zolder on Monday and the GVA in Loenhout on Wednesday. But before that it’s Christmas. “I hope everyone enjoyes it. I’d like to wish everyone a Merry Christmas.”