Elkov Kasper 2022 season review
Elkov had to face plenty of challenges, when it comes to roster for this season. Alois Kaňkovský, one of best continental sprinters in recent years, ended his career in 2021. Team lost two more established leaders as Michal Schlegel joined Caja Rural and Michael Kukrle moved to Gazprom-Rusvelo. Remaining departure was Petr Kelemen, who joined ranks of Tudor Pro Cycling Team. Most valuable reinforcement was definitely Daniel Babor, who came with promise of doing well in mass finishes. Michael Boroš joined team to gain some good kilometres, mostly to prepare for CX season. Two more additions to roster, namely Filip Řeha with Tomáš Obdržálek, were intended to breaktrough into higher level of continental cycling with team.
Before the season even propperly kicked off, Gazprom teams license was revoked from known reasons and Kukrle got a job thanks to Elkov offering him contract for rest of the year. He paid this back immediately at Circuit des Ardennes (2.2), with winning stage in his first UCI race since the comeback. There was even chance for taking General classification, if there wasn't for shortening of race. He however made up for that just a week later, when he won Tour du Loir et Cher (2.2) overally, especially thanks to his breakaway activity.
Month of April was generally pinnacle of success for Elkov. At Ardennes, Dominik Neumann ended 3rd overally and he also took bronze rank at one stage during Tour du Loir et Cher. Daniel Babor showed up in even better form at that race, securing points classification thanks to win in opening stage and also 2nd place on a day when Neumann finished just behind him.
Alpes Isére Tour showed us, that the squad is not as strong in climbs as it was in last years. It kept (or even improved) its strength in other aspects however and it was again Kukrle, who achieved next win for the team. He capitalised on his prologue victory at Tour du Pays de Montbéliard (2.2) and seized one more general classification there. Czecho-Slovak nationals were held just week later and team was obviously among biggest favourites. 37 years old Jan Bárta added his already 7th time trial title, but bigger surprise happened during road race. Elkov outclassed their opponents thanks to numerical advantage and seized top 4 completely for themselves! Champion jersey was taken by Matěj Zahálka, who finished ahead of his teammates to achieve his first ever UCI win. Bárta showed that he can still climb aswell shortly after, when he attacked alone from favourites group in queen stage of Tour of Sibiu (2.1). Unfortunately for him, his attack was paced back in final kilometres.
During summer, Adam Ťoupalík started his magic again, and kept showing that he is one of best riders for punchy/hilly finishes in continental category. In V4 bike race series, consisting from four 1.2 races, he managed to win twice and finish second on another occasion. Most special stunt was at Czech Grand Prix, where he gained back to back win on Špilberk finish - despite being seriously outnumbered during race.
August brought natural peak of teams season, most prestigious Czech race with stacked startlist, the well known Sazka tour (2.1). Elkov struggled a bit in mountain finishes, but Kukrle shined in other two stages. On both first and last day he jumped into breakaway and was not catched until finish line. He just missed the win, as he placed on 3rd and 2nd place. Specially his heroic effort on stage 4 was well appreciated by Czech fans anyway (Link for photos).
A moment to forget occured in Memorial Henryka Lasaka (1.2), where three Elkov riders were in leading group with just Tomasz Budzinski and got beaten by him alone. It must be said however, that Michael Boroš, Filip Řeha and Matěj Zahálka are all less experienced riders in squad and normally podium or top 4 would be great achievement for any of them. Boroš showed to be great learner and delivered win just a day later. He finished squads job, when they shattered peloton of Memorial Jana Magiery (1.2) and dominated the result list.
During autumn, Elkov focused on stage races and showed that it can perform pretty well in them against stronger teams, if those races are not decided on mountain top finish. Turul Romaniei was marked by three amazing victories - Babor dominated sprints with two victories and second place, while Otruba was strongest in queen stage as his group managed to hold off peloton. Later same month, he was able to resist World tour opponents at Okolo Slovenska in every stage, with his consistent performance resulting into 5th place in general classification.
Elkov overally looked bit weaker in mountains, but compensated for that on hills and also sprints, compared to last season. They will have to face even bigger rebuilding of squad now, with Kukrle, Otruba, Babor and Jakub Ťouaplík leaving and team seemingly focusing on younger riders. It will not be an easy job to maintain high level of results. Especially when out of their 13 UCI wins over 2022 season 8 of them were gained by riders who are leaving.
Season ranking: 9/10
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