Jaroslav Kulhavy's usual successes in the World Cup failed to materialize last year. This is one reason why the London Olympic champion is turning his back on the Specialized Racing Team after eight years.
"After last season, I had the feeling that it was time to make a change. I didn't really miss anything about the Specialized Racing Team. The change was more about a new impulse and fresh motivation," explained Kulhavý in a press release.

In future, the Olympic gold and silver medal winner will wear the jersey of the team he founded in 2014. The 34-year-old founded the "Jaroslav Kulhavy Cycling Team" to promote young talent from the Pardubice region. With his arrival, he wants to further strengthen his work with young talent.

The Schurter shocker remains loyal to his favorite brand even with his own team. Photo ©Balz Weber

Continuing with Specialized and again with Grotts

The fact that Kulhavy continues to ride with Specialized comes as no surprise. The Czech has been riding the mountain bikes from Morgan Hill in California since 2007, when he was also part of a professional Czech team. He switched to the international Specialized Racing Team for the 2011 season and from then on was one of the absolute world leaders.

Kulhavy's own team solution brings decisive advantages: "We were looking for other team options. But as I didn't want to take anything with me at any price, I opted for my own project, in which I can work with both current personal partners and new ones." It also gives the 2011 world champion a free hand to better adapt his racing and training program to his goals.

Still on Kulhavy's season schedule is the Cyprus Sunshine Cup, with which he traditionally kicks off his racing season. These races are also important preparation for the Cape Epic. He has already won the most important and toughest mountain bike stage race three times - most recently with the American Howard Grotts. Jaroslav Kulhavy will be competing with him again this year and trying to defend his title. Kulhavy can count on his former team-mates Christoph Sauser and Simon Andreassen as his backup team.

Kulhavy wants to be able to grin from the Cape Epic podium again this season. Photo © Ewald Sadie/ Cape Epic/ SPORTZPICS

High goals

The London Olympic champion is still holding back a little for the 2019 season. The goal of winning the Cape Epic again is high enough. And a top 10 result at the World Championships is also more realistic than utopian.

However, things look different for the 2020 Olympic season: In Tokyo, Kulhavy wants to try and win a medal for the third time in a row. A tough test, but not an impossible one, as he has already proven several times.