The third round of the 2024 4X ProTour took place at Dobrany Bikepark in Czech Republic yesterday. With big crowds watching all weekend, this race is certainly here to stay on the ProTour. The track was huge. Big jumps, high speed and a real challenge for all the riders.
Scott arrived at the track on Thursday and was excited to ride the track on Friday for the first official practice session.
On Friday, riders had 3 hours to get to grips with this crazy track. It took Scott most of the session to really dial in the track. It was huge and a lot to work on to get up to speed and dial the tyre choice in. By the end of the session though, Scott was certainly looking quick and we were focused on a great result on Saturday.
Qualifying and the race took place on Saturday, so riders had to be ready for a full day of action. Seeded number 2 into this event, so he would be the penultimate rider to qualify. Scott made a great start and put together a run that was good enough for 3rd position. He was happy and felt good going into racing as the team immediately leapt into action getting the race bike prepared for the racing, whilst Scott relaxed in the team Adria motorhome.
Racing started at 16.00 and went well for Scott winning his early heats and moving through to the quarter finals. Going from gate 1, he made a perfect start and rode his fastest lap of the day so far. He was through to the semi finals and everything was looking good.
Scott now found himself on gate 2 and a good start would be essential. He was clearly in the mood. He made a good start and battled down the first straight. After a bump and a bang Scott settled was forced into 3rd. All weekend he had a plan of the best passing place in the 180 degree corner near the finish. He tee’d it up and executed the it perfectly to move into 2nd position to the roars of the crowd. He held on to the finish line and booked his place in the final. Everyone was buzzing. It was one of the cleanest, most precise passes that anyone had ever seen. Scott’s experience was the key and he was buzzing too.
In the final, Scott had gate 3. The gate dropped and Scott got pinched but he made a great move in turn 1 and dived inside. A bump later and he was in 3rd. He used every trick he has to get into 2nd, hounding all the way but he could not make it past. Across the line he finished 3rd. A solid day and another podium result which has moved him into 2nd overall in the World Series.
In the finish area Scott said:
“Whilst I am gutted with the final, it’s been a great day. That semi final was all time! I’ll remember that for a long time to come. I rode great all day and I’ll take 3rd. I’ve just found out that bumps me up to 2nd overall in the 4X World Series so I am stoked. 1 round to go. We will be ready.”
The result, although disappointing for Scott, was a fantastic race. He rode incredible all day. Just imagine being so consistently fast that you are that annoyed finishing 3rd in a World Championship event……. This result now moves him up to 2nd overall in the 2024 4X ProTour overall rankings. His consistency with podiums this year is paying off. There is just 1 round left and he is fighting for the overall title.
The final round is on September 7th is at the teams favourite track Szczawno Zdroj in Poland. Let’s keep the momentum going.
Thank you to all our team partners for your support in 2024.