Anna Kudláčková: “Excelling in e-bike racing requires strong technical skills”

Anna Kudláčková, a 19-year-old cyclist from the Czech Republic, is a Proofy Cycling Team rider with a strong background in several disciplines, her journey is both inspiring and promising.

Early Beginnings in Cycling

Anna’s love for cycling began in her childhood, riding with her parents. She started racing seriously around the age of 12 or 13. Initially drawn to cross-country, she found her technical skills lacking and shifted her focus to marathons, where she discovered her true potential.

Transition to E-Bike Racing

Kudláčková’s entry into e-bike racing came at the suggestion of her team. Despite initial reservations about the heavy and technically demanding e-bikes, she took the challenge. Her first experiences in e-bike racing were at national events in Slovakia, where she found the courses relatively easy compared to the World Cup race she recently participated in.

Balancing Traditional and E-Bike Racing

She continues to compete on traditional bikes as she believes that excelling in e-bike racing requires strong technical skills, which she is actively working to improve. Her training regimen includes a mix of road biking, gym workouts, and mountain biking, aiming to build overall fitness and specific skills needed for e-bike racing.

Anna Kudláčková (Credit: WES / Seb Schieck)

Overcoming Challenges

After a two-year medical hiatus from cycling, she recently returned to the sport and joined the Proofy Cycling Team. Her training is intense, with a focus on riding her e-bike daily to enhance her familiarity and proficiency with it.

Racing Experience and Techniques

In her races, she has found that e-bike competitions demand a different approach compared to traditional bike races. The heavier bikes and the need to manage battery consumption require strategic thinking and technical finesse. Despite these challenges, Anna is determined to master the discipline.

Narrowing the Gender Gap

In a recent race, she noted that several women riders, including herself, outperformed some of the male competitors, highlighting the potential for e-bikes to create a more level playing field in the sport.

Achievements and Future Goals

Kudláčková’s achievements in e-bike racing see a podium finish in Slovakia. Her skills were tested in a recent World Cup event in Trentino, where she overcame a severe crash during practice to compete in the Qualy Race.

Looking ahead, Anna aims to compete in races in Belgium and Germany, striving for good results while continuing to push her limits and deepen her understanding of e-bike racing.

As she continues to gain experience, the e-bike racing community can expect to see more performances from this young rider.