Marek Neužil: Successful transition to Elite and now the World Championship

Entry into the Men Elite category came sooner than many expected. Why did you decide to move to the elite already this year and did you expect your entry to be so successful?

My transition to the Elite category was mainly to gain experience before the start of Olympic qualification. The original plan was to compete in the elite only at the European Cups and to return to the U23, where I have my last year, for the World Cup, European Championships and World Championships. However, since I did quite well at the European Cups, the coaches and I decided to try and stay in the elite for the whole year. To be honest, I went into the season with the idea that I was going to try it out among the elite and see where I was losing. If someone had told me that I would be in the final or even on the podium of the European Cup, or that I would be in the top 10 at my third elite World Cup, I would not have believed them. I'm happy to have caught up with the elite quite quickly and I'd say I'm more comfortable with this category than the U23. I hope and would like to continue in such a rhythm.

Mára, you had to miss the European Championship after being injured in the World Cup in Papendal. How are you feeling today and how is your recovery progressing?

I regret that I had to miss the European Championship due to injury, but unfortunately that is part of bicross. But I'm glad that the injury was not so serious and I can continue with the well-started season. The recovery is going well and it's getting better very quickly, which I'm very happy about.

It was clear from the beginning that you will do your best to start at the World Cup. What does your preparation entail now?

After returning from Papendal, I got one more day off than the rest of the team because I had to have an X-ray and a doctor's appointment. Right after that, however, the coach sent me to the gym, saying that there was no time to waste. 😄 So I've now spent the last three weeks in the gym and on the wattbike, practically doing everything my shoulder would allow. Of course, 3-5 times a week of physiotherapy to get back on the bike as quickly as possible.

How difficult is it to prepare for the peak of the season when, instead of regular training, you mainly deal with treatment and getting back to full fitness?

I would say that for me it's harder mentally than physically, although physically it wasn't much fun either. Preparing for the peak of the season when you are not physically ready is not ideal, but I try to focus on what I can do and trust that it will go like before.

Did you ever have doubts during the last weeks, whether you will be able to start at the World Cup at all?

I already had my doubts in the hospital in Holland when the doctors informed me that I had a grade 3 AC dislocation, that the recovery would take about six weeks and that surgery might be needed. When I counted the weeks until the start of the WC, my start in Brisbane was not entirely rosy. And of course, almost every day I think about whether it will be possible, and even if it is, in what shape I will be. But I try not to dwell on these thoughts and not to think about them so much.

How important a role does the head play in such a situation? What helps you stay positive and focus on the goal?

In this case, the psychological side plays a huge role, and I think that even the return to the bike and how it goes will be mainly about the head. One factor that helps me a lot is my coach. He has had a lot of injuries in his career, so he knows how to deal with them and how to prepare well despite the less than ideal conditions. I also work with a sports psychologist who helps me deal with such things and stay in a good mental state.

The World Championship is special for every competitor. What do you think makes it different from regular World Cup races?

The World Cup is a unique race. It is the highlight of the season and for me the second most prestigious race in bicross after the Olympics. It differs from the World Cups mainly in that it is about the title of world champion and that you only have one chance. When something goes wrong, you don't have the opportunity to correct the mistake the next day and you have to wait for another year. So I would say that mainly the pressure is greater.

Brisbane will host the World Cup for the first time. What do you expect from the track there? Have you had a chance to find out any information about her or follow her form?

I've already been to the 2024 World Cup in Brisbane, although I didn't race then because I broke my wrist in training a few weeks before. I was there more as a team manager. I know the track and I like it. It's fast and technical, I'd say I've got a pretty good handle on it, and it hasn't changed much since 2024.

Several talented riders, including you, moved into the elite category this year. Do you think that this year the competition can be even more balanced than in previous seasons?

For me, the competition in the elite is great and always has been. It is probably impossible to say if the competition has ever been more equal than it is now. This year, quite a few young guys came with me to the elite, who want to show themselves in the elite category, so I think it will be interesting and that there will be a lot of surprises during the race.

Which riders do you consider to be the biggest favorites to win the World Championship before the World Championships in Brisbane?

That's a good question. A couple of top riders are now injured or coming off injury, and as I said in the last question, there are a lot of young guys who have jumped into the elite and are sure to shake up the order. So it is not at all clear to predict who could take the title this year. Personally, I have three names in my head that I think could win the title. I would say Izaac Kennedy, for whom Brisbane is a home track, Cameron Wood or Ross Cullen. Or of course one of the French.

What settings do you want to go to Brisbane with? Will the start itself be the main goal, or do you believe in a significant result despite the complications?

I leave for Brisbane mainly knowing that I can ride my bike again. It's not quite ideal yet, but I believe it will be ready for the race. I would definitely like to get a decent result, but I'm going there knowing that I have nothing to lose and that if I show what I've trained for, it will be good.

What do you think will be most important on the day of the race - physical preparation, psyche, or the ability to handle the pressure of the world championship?

For me, everything has to come together for a race like this. But I would say that psychological factors are a little more important. It happened to me myself at such races that I was physically perfectly prepared, but then I didn't believe in myself or couldn't take the pressure of such a race and burned out. Of course, if you're not trained, you won't get very far either. So it is ideal to have trained and believe in it.

In addition to performance on the track, communication on social networks is also important today. How do you see it?

Social media and media communication in general are extremely important in sports these days, whether it's for sponsors or overall visibility. Unfortunately, it's my weaker side that I still have to work on. But I'm a supporter of performance and results rather than popularity on social networks.

Czech fans will be watching your return to the track closely. What does fan support mean to you?

The support of the Czech fans is really great. I am very happy when I get messages after races that they were watching and cheering for me. I am happy for that and I appreciate it very much.

What would you like to say to all the fans who will be rooting for you during the World Cup?

I would probably just tell them to cheer hard and encourage not only me, but also the entire Czech team to achieve decent results. It helps more than some people think.

What awaits you in your racing program until the end of the year outside the World Championships? When does your off-season start?

After the World Championship, I will probably have a few weeks off 😄 and then the Czech Republic Championship. Then in September, the last two weekends of the European Cup in Norway and Belgium, and in October the second half of the World Cups in China and America. But it is still not certain if I will go. So the off-season will probably start a little later this year.