Jozef Palčak

Jozef used to be a member of CK BB before he quit racing few years ago. We hereby bring you an interview about his past and his cycling plans after his comeback to racing this year.

1. Just like almost all of the former ŽP Šport Podbrezová cycling team riders,you as well started cycling quite late. Do you remember how you came accross cycling?

That’s right, I started cycling at a rather older age. But my very first contact with cycling was actually back at my primary school – our teacher used to take us for short trips in the surroundings over the weekends. I started riding MTB marathons when I was around fifteen, and was mostly supported by my parents back then. My father was, and still is, very fond of racing himself, he follows all cycling news. I got to join my first team, an amateur club team Outdoor Zvolen, after my first year of riding the marathon series. I even got some equipment from this team.

2. You got to race in a completely different level of races after joining ŽP Podbrezová. You even got to participate in the European and World Championships based on your good results over the whole season. How do you regard these years, what impact did it leave on you?

It was actually by accident I started racing in road cycling. I was only a substitute for this race in Spain and somehow it turned out I was at the start. I really had no clue what was road cycling about. It takes years to learn all the necessities and nuances of road cycling, so I was quite disadvantaged at the start. The following year I actually focused more on road cycling, but due to lack of experience I must admit I was not a very useful team member back then. Despite my good performance level, I had to learn what to do and how to do it in a road race to contribute to a good team result and to be a valid member of the team. Nothing you really come accross in mountain biking where it’s more about the individual result and performance. I raced many races that season, with my primary goal in the beginning of the season to survive the race and finish in the peloton. Despite my technical shortcomings I did have a pretty good performance, so soon after I got to ride more and more important races. I learned a lot during this time, tried to follow and understand what was going on in the race, kind of school of cycling live. Things and experiences you won’t learn in theory. I learned how to help my team-mates and how they can be of a help to me. I managed to get several medals from National Road Championships and even qualify for European and World Championships. My good results were my biggest challenge. I always tried to move on and improve in all aspects.

3. After the team ŽP Podbrezová dissolved, you, along with majority of the other elite riders joined CK BB. It was during your time with CK BB you attained your best results and your first UCI points. What results you merit the most and why?

I value my National Champion titles a lot, it’s the goal majority of cyclists long to achieve. But I merit most my first stage victory in Tour de Senegal since it was a UCI race with many international teams participating. Later on I also managed to win a stage in Tour de Cameroun and Grand Prix Chantal Biya. I also am very fond of my second place in the U23 overall ranking in Tour de Guadeloupe, UCI 2.2. It’s one of the toughest races I’ve done, and probably the best organized race I’ve been to.

4. After a really successful season and great performances on African soil in Senegal and Cameroon you suddenly dissapeared from cycling. What happened?

I trained and raced a lot and bit by bit I realized I underestimated the recovery phase. I was burned out and overtrained. I also started working at that time, so put the bike slightly aside for a while. I set up my own company and tried to start the business, not much time for bike left. About six months later I had a really bad car accident. My chances of living and living physically active were really low, but I believe I escaped the Grim Reaper and managed to recover really well only because my body was used to huge loads of training and racing and simply fought better and more effectively than that of people not used to putting any stress on their bodies. I never accepted what doctors said and trained despite their restriction on any physical activity. I think it was mostly my determination that helped me to cure at almost 100%.

5. So you did train and do sports even while not racing. What activities did you mostly do during this time?

Both nature and sport bring me a feeling of freedom, so I will never stop doing sports and spend time in nature. I love to do a ski mounteneering in the winter time, either in Poľana where I live or in the Tatra mountains. Whenever I have some free time, I go mountaineering in these remote areas. I sometimes also train in the cross country area Látky. When summer comes, I love to ride my mountain bike. I also use my bike as a means of transport, so it’s a true 2-in-1 for me, joy and necessity in one.

6. 2013 is a comeback year to cycling for you. What plans do you have? You used to be a leader of the team whether it was ŽP Podbrezová or CK BB. Now you’re back on the same team, what are your goals and ambitions?

I truly don’t know what to expect of my body after the past two years off and particularly what to expect of my healed injuries. All races are a big challenge to me, the bigger and more important the race is, the higher motivation I have. I hope to enjoy all the races I will go to and help to achieve good team results. I’m experienced well enough to help the team and hope not to make any mistakes that would prevent me from being a valid member of the team. Over the years I’ve learned it’s useless setting oneself long term goals. Things simply don’t always work the way we would like them to and I don’t want to be dissapointed or frustrated from any unfulfilled goals. I try to live with what comes along and try to turn it into an advantage for me.