Get to know Brisbane through the eyes of the Czech representative 🇦🇺

You spent several months in Brisbane. When you hear Brisbane, what's the first thing that comes to mind?

When I think of Brisbane, I think of kangaroos, a quintessential Australian animal. But if I connect it with BMX, then probably a great community of bikers.

You had enough time to really get to know the track in detail. What is she really like? What makes it specific and what do you think will decide on it?

It is very technical and will have a lot of errors. For the boys, I think it will be decided by the start and who exits the first corner first. For girls, the first and second straights will decide.

Is there a section of the track that you enjoy the most? And vice versa, a place where you really need to drive without a mistake?

What I enjoy most here is the professional section on the third straight, which unfortunately we girls don't ride in the race. Other than that, there will be starts. This is where I spent probably the most time on the eight-meter starting ramp and it is one of my favorites. The place where you really need to drive without a mistake will be the last straight. It is very technical, kicking and after driving all three straights it will be really insidious.

Do you think that knowledge of the track can play a big role in the World Championship, or will everything be decided in the races themselves?

I think there will be some advantage there. I especially feel it in myself that I am much calmer. But the race is completely different from the training, it will depend on how everything works out on the day.

The Women U23 category is very busy this year. Which opponents do you think will be the biggest favorites in Brisbane?

Among the biggest rivals here I see Renske van Santvoort from the Netherlands, who won two World Cup races, and Lilly Greenough from New Zealand.

What was it like training in the Australian BMX community? Are the riders and trainers there any different than in Europe?

I like it here a lot. The approach to training is such that they take it seriously but have fun at the same time. Above all, the coaches here are interconnected and help each other. There is no rivalry here.

How important is the psyche in such a big race? Are you preparing for it in any special way?

For me, psychology is very important, sometimes it helps me win a race. Managing emotions is the hardest thing on race day. I don't specially prepare for it, I probably don't notice it that much anymore and I take it as my ritual. But most often it is visualization.

When you weren't training, what was your favorite thing to do in Brisbane?

They have the best coffee in Australia, so I loved going to coffee shops. I also spent a lot of time at the beach in the summer.

If you had to recommend three must-see places in or around Brisbane for fans, what would they be?

Definitely a visit to the Gold Coast, a visit to the ZOO with the opportunity to bury a koala and the area around South Bank in Brisbane.

Is there anything quintessentially Australian that you think every visitor should try?

There's a lot, so I'll give a few tips: Weet-Bix, Aussie coffee, Tim Tam biscuits, kangaroo meat and chicken parma, which is kind of like a steak with tomato sauce, ham and cheese.

What surprised you the most about Australia during those few months?

I was surprised to see only one snake and only a few spiders.

When you compare the training conditions in Australia and in the Czech Republic, what do you see as the biggest difference?

Weather. Here you can train in the sun even in winter. And then probably a training center that is directly intended for cycling. They have great facilities here, including a gym and recovery center.

You have a large community of fans following you on social networks. How important is it for you to be in contact with them and share not only races, but also behind the scenes of your sports journey?

For me, it is the kind of place where I have all my memories. I hope that my fans enjoy my content and that they might take something away from it. Lately, I've probably been most active on TikTok, where the community is slowly growing.

Czech fans will be watching you from the other side of the world. How much does their support mean to you?

It certainly always means a lot to me when someone is there to support me. I want to inspire young racers.

If you could promise Czech fans one thing before the World Cup, what would it be?

I can't promise the result, but I can promise that I will do my best for the best possible result. I mainly want to enjoy it here, because I consider it my second home.