Unlike the Elite races, which look like they will be contested by many riders from around the world, the U23 and Junior races come with a few heavy favorites in each race. While snow is likely, our photographers set foot on the ground and captured shots of the Friday course, which includes loads of mud and ruts already covering the course.
Interestingly enough, the first two rows of the U23 and Junior races are not designated to the UCI ranking, but the overall World Cup standing, which is counter to what one finds in the Elite races. As Logan Owen told us earlier today by tweet, "If anything the World Cup points should only matter for the elites because of all the travel that the World Cup requires... Some of the younger juniors and U23's don't have the resources to make those expensive trips."
Junior Men's start list is here, U23 Men start list is here. Also, don’t miss our Elite Women and Elite Men’s Preview of Tabor.
The Czech:
Jakub Skala, shown here as a Junior in 2010 could be a favorite as a U23 in 2015. © Bart Hazen / Cyclocross Magazine
U23 Riders:
Unlike the Belgian and Dutch, the best U23 riders in the country decided to stick to their age group. This comes despite Adam Toupalik winning the Men’s Elite Race in the Czech National Championship. To be fair, that was the ride of Toupalik’s short career. This is his first year as a U23, and he only podiumed in one other race all season: a third place in the Toi-Toi series. He has a second row call-up on Sunday morning.
Jakub Skala is the veteran U23 rider who will be on the front row. Unlike Toupalik, Skala spent most of his season in the Elite fields, and winning two in the Toi-Toi series. With the Men’s Elite group somewhat depleted without Stybar, Skala might be the Czech Republic’s best chance for a win on Sunday.
Junior Riders:
The Czech Juniors are a more modest collection of riders, led by Jonas Brezina, whose best result was a 22nd place finish in Zolder in the World Cup. He will be sporting a fourth row call up come Saturday.
