“I’m not really aiming for big results here. I want to use it to get my race speed back and to finish the work before world championships and Europeans,” said Pauline at the start of the week.

Two rounds of World Cups, four races in size days, at Nové Město marks the return of international MTB racing. After her second place in the XCC on Tuesday afternoon, Pauline followed it with a third place in yesterday’s XCO World Cup.

“It’s a mixed feeling after yesterday’s third place. I’m happy to finish on the podium because it’s my first international podium of the year. But on the other hand I don’t like to lose! Considering the beginning of the year, and the strange season, I know what I did yesterday was good. Otherwise, I would have a really big step to overcome in order to be ready to try to defend my jersey next weekend at world championships. I would say that I’m satisfied rather than happy with the result.”

Two World Cups remain, a Short Track XCC race this afternoon, and a XCO in two days time. It will be final touches before world championships in Austria on October 10th.

“I want to give it all and to have all the confidence possible for my race in the XCC tonight and especially to the XCO race on Sunday. I am enjoying these back to back races in Nové Město. I have recovered well from yesterday and I should be good for today and Sunday. I just need to believe in myself and to give my best and we will see”

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