EN He belongs to the biggest talents of Czech bicross. Fifteen-year-old Dominik Ráliš from TJ BMX Pardubice won one of the two gold medals for the Czech Republic at the recent World Championships in Brisbane, Australia. The second one was added by Laura Tejmarová in the category of girls under nine years of age. Moreover, it was not a first-time success for Ráliš - he was able to defend the title of world champion after a year and confirmed his position as world number one. We therefore talked about his impressions. Rozhovory Audio version Listen to article Open audio Tvůj prohlížeč nepodporuje přehrávání audia. You won the world championship a year ago. They say defending the title is always harder. Was it so? "Yes, it was definitely harder to defend the title. Not only because we're all a year older and stronger, but also because of the pressure. You know he's done it once and everyone expects him to do it again." What was the final ride like? "The start was pretty good for me. I got into the top three, but on the first straight we were riding three abreast. I touched the Canadian rider slightly in the air, which threw me into the next jump. I wanted to do a double manual, but I only managed a manual and I literally fell into the corner. It was a crisis situation when I had to accelerate again immediately. On the second straight, I watched my British opponent not to overtake me. The key was the approach to the next corner, where I managed a double manual on the inside and I got into the lead. On the third straight, the Canadian bumped into me from behind, but I held on. He fell and then I took first place all the way to the finish line." How was the track in Brisbane? "It was a perfect fit for me. It was fast, hard and had great grip even in the rain. It was technical, with big turns, just to my taste." What type of tracks do you like best? "Long and technical tracks with a fast starting ramp." Who was your biggest rival? "In the final, mainly the Canadian, who tormented me a lot. The British were also strong. I was surprised by the riders from New Zealand and the United States, who I didn't know that much. I was also very interested in the rider from Chile, who ended up second." Was there a celebration after the victory? "After the race, we went to dinner, but we'll save the bigger celebration until we go home to the Czech Republic with the whole family. They supported me a lot during the whole trip to Australia." You've seen the world's biggest stars race. Who caught your eye? "Unfortunately, due to the cancellation of the races, we didn't see much. I was most interested in the Australians, who really drove bombs. On the contrary, I expected more from the French. But no one knew that the races would end after the round of 16 due to the weather." Who is your biggest supporter? "My coach from Italy and of course my parents. Without them I certainly wouldn't have achieved this result." You stayed in Australia after the championship. How did you use the time? "We wanted to see as many interesting places as possible. We visited Kondalilla National Park, Tamborine Rainforest, we went to the ocean a few times and walked through the cities. I took my friend from Belgium, who was also in the finals, on roller coasters, which we really enjoyed." What is your program until the end of the season? "Two more races of the Czech Cup, two events of the European Cup and the championship of the Czech Republic in Venice nad Jizerou. The Czech Cup will be held in Prague and Brno, then the European Cup in Norway and the final in Zolder, Belgium." Where would you like to go in bicross? "My big dream is to qualify for the Olympic Games in 2032. They will be held in Brisbane, so it would be really symbolic." PHOTO: Nico van Dartel