The 4th race of the AC Heating cup - this year's new UCI XCO series - took place in Ústí nad Labem during the weekend.
Velká cena města Ústí nad Labem - that was the name of the premier event in Ústí ever.
It can be said that by domestic standards, it was a quite specific track of the city tip, which was driven between housing estates in a park-meadow - a large grassy slope. The park was neglected for many years, but now a bulldozer, an excavator drove in and the organizers slammed the track.
Once again, a two-day program was held - Saturday for youth and Elite, Sunday for children's categories, just like at the Czech Cup.
It was a scorching 28°C on Saturday. The newly marked track didn't give anything for free, as it was partly on untraveled paths and the mowed grass - it ate up, glued the competitors, and there were very sharp exits, so on the finish line after a 3 km circuit, it was "to mush" 
.
Elite Men Winner – Jan Rajchart:
"I was curious about the new race, we arrived with the whole team to collect some UCI points on home soil. Upon arrival, I thought how cool it would be, but I have to say that it was strict and the exits really dragged, including the extreme heat. I appreciate the victory even more, it was great.
From the start, I let the active guys from Expres BMD Kolín pull, they drove great. Subsequently, I pulled part of the fourth lap out of ten and in the fifth I made a decisive start, then I was already watching the distance. I liked the race here."
"It is a great honor for us to organize a race according to UCI regulations. However, the cooperation with Lampík is great, they arrived with Jarda Ryba already on Wednesday and we have prepared everything, I believe it is good. It was a great challenge and motivation for my colleagues and I, we were used to doing amateur XCO races on the other side of the city behind the forest, but I can already see a big difference organizing a race at a professional level with everything. Today we finish the Sunday racing in children's categories and it's a joy to see local competitors who don't even compete at the national level. I would like to thank all the partners, the city of Ústí and also the organizing team for their support and cooperation, it was challenging, but the joy is stronger," said the director of the series, Honzo Vácha.
In the end, the circuit itself measured only 3 km. Start-finish – the center of the bulo race in the middle of the park on a natural terrace with an incredible view of the Ústí neighborhood. The fans had sausage, beer and sat under the tent in the shade from where they could see the start-finish, technical sections and jumps on the track as well as the two steepest exits.
In the partner expo, it was possible to visit stands with regeneration (massages, tapes, physio), as well as face painting, the stand of the Municipal Police, Military Health Insurance and others...
Saturday was spiced up by a man with two faces - Tomáš Eibel, who jumped up and then took it up again as a microphone moderator.
"The overall participation was not among the strongest, but we have already verified from Stupno that the August dates have been the weakest for a few years. Many cyclocross racers are already preparing, or there are family holidays after a long season, and we were also in the opening category of the C3 race, which is a must for entry into the UCI calendar. We'll see what the plans are for 2025. In any case, I'd like to pay my respects and thank Váchyč and his nice hardworking team for the great cooperation," said series director Ondřej Paur.
The international referee from Croatia gave the event a positive assessment, of course there was healthy criticism, but that can always be worked on.
Well, Ústí, thank you for a great premiere.
The last and 5th race of the series is a stop in Vimperk on September 15, 2024, where everything will be done in one day. Complete information can be found on the series website under the race tab Vimperk.
Olympian Ondřej Cink should also appear at the start.
Competitors, don't forget the overall rating of the series, where there is a battle in 20 categories for the TOP5 overall. A spectacular party "Absolute Party" is coming up on November 9 in a large hall in Pilsen, where there will be over 400 people. As we know Lampík, there will be no shortage of a great evening full of fun and a nice ceremony. More info about the party here.
