A surprised Kristyna Zemanová (VIF Cycling Team) recorded a career-best position in the final round of the 2025-26 UCI Cyclo-cross World Cup after finishing a close runner-up to Puck Pieterse (Fenix-Premier Tech) in Hoogerheide on Sunday.
The 23-year-old showed her strength and tactical prowess on the fast course as a leading group of stars battled for honours in the closing stages. A five-time Czech Republic national champion, she failed to hold the last lap attack of Pieterse, but saw off Amandine Fouquenet (Pauwels Sauzen-Altez Industriebouw) for second.
A delighted Zemanová looked up to the sky and celebrated as if she’d won as she crossed the line after an intense battle, which saw the VIF Cycling Team dig deep to record a surprise result.
“It’s absolutely amazing and unbelievable. I didn’t feel so good during the race, so it was a big surprise that I managed to finish in second spot,” said Zemanová post-race.
The Hoogerheide course was where Zemanová broke onto the international scene with a third place in the under-23 World Championships race in 2023. She finished second the following season with a silver medal at her home world championships in Tabor, before missing last year’s championships.
Next weekend, Zemanová will make her maiden appearance as an elite rider at the cyclo-cross World Championships in Hulst.
It has been a tough road to the elite international podium for Zemanová after experiencing illness with post Covid syndrome. However, this season she has been consistent in the top 10 positions in the cyclo-cross World Cups and finished runner-up at the X20 Trofee round in Loenhout.
During a recent interview with ČT sport, she reflected on the illness which nearly ended her career.
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