Cycling champion of the republic Michael Kukrle returns to the elite Czech team Elkov Kasper, where he has been working since 2016 until last year.
The participant of the Olympic Games in Tokyo transferred to the Gazprom-RusVelo stable before the season, which, however, was banned from racing after the Russian invasion of Ukraine and had to cease operations.
Twenty-seven-year-old Kukrle in the colors of the new team managed to complete the races in Oman and the United Arab Emirates, where his Czech colleague Mathias Vacek celebrated a sensational stage victory. Last week, Kukrle drove two races in the Czech national team jersey, including the introductory part of the Czech Cup Velká Bíteš – Brno – Velká Bíteš.
“We have been in contact with Elkov Kasper’s management since the UCI decided to stop our team. Gazprom-RusVelo immediately stopped paying us, but gave us the opportunity to go elsewhere. I received offers from several continental teams, but it made sense to return to I’m glad that the transfer was arranged, although due to the inactive approach of the UCI it is not yet clear when I will be able to race for the team. April, “Kukrle said in a press release.
“When we saw that the Gazprom-RusVelo team was over, we immediately offered to help Michael. He worked for us for many years and he is a good racer. But it was crucial to solve the situation financially. So I contacted the partners if they would be willing to meet us. “The sports director of the stable, Vladimír Vávra, thanked the sponsors.
Even he doesn’t know yet when he will be able to deploy the old-new reinforcement for the first time. “It is not yet completely clear in the UCI registration process, even though we and the representatives of the Czech Cycling Association have repeatedly asked them for a quick answer. As soon as the UCI decides, the association will issue a Czech license to the rider,” he said.
Last year, at the postponed Olympic Games in Tokyo, Kukrle finished 26th in the time trial and finished 36th in the 180-kilometer escape race. He was twentieth at the European Championships and did not finish the World Championships. In Elkov’s jersey, he was on the podium eight times last season, including a triumph at the national championship.
