The 29-year-old Bosnian marathon cyclist and last year's UCI Marathon World Cup winner, made a spectacular start to her season last year with an initial victory right here in Nové Mesto na Morave. Over the course of the season, she continued to impress with several outstanding placings and ultimately clinched the overall victory in the world cup.
As the world cup season gears up again, starting off in the deep Czech forests, we catch up with Lejla on site in Nové Mesto na Morave, in front of the empty stands, soon to be filled with thousands of spectators for the weekends race.
I think it was a combination of many factors, but most of all consistency in training, racing and recovering from both, and a very detailed and specialsed training plan that adapted my body for every track, flat or hilly.
With winter training now behind you, how do you feel about your performance heading into the upcoming race? Have you adjusted your approach in any way to help achieve your goals?
I can say with confidence that this was the best winter training period of my career. I was significantly stronger across every measurable aspect of my training, though some of that improvement can be attributed to the increased power and responsiveness of my new Majestic FS Facelift bike, especially when climbing hills. We did tweak the training a bit - we're aiming to peak for the races at the end of the year, so we had to adjust the training regimen accordingly.
I never felt daunted by the 120-kilometer length of the race. I had complete confidence that the meticulous training process we had undertaken beforehand would enable me to ride the race exactly as I wished - without holding back or any fear of failure. This year, I'm bringing an even greater sense of confidence and determination to challenge everyone on the starting line.
As the World Cup season gets underway, what key strategies do you employ to maintain focus and motivation throughout the grueling competitions?
I adhere strictly to a consistent daily routine for training and recovery. While it may seem monotonous and challenging for those around me, I follow this regimented schedule with unwavering focus. My motivation has always come from an intrinsic drive to be the best I can be. Now, I'm fueled by an even greater ambition - to elevate the sport by delivering my absolute best performances and making the races as interesting as possible.
I have the distinct advantage of having a dedicated team around me, the entire Allebike organization, all working tirelessly to support me. With them by my side, I don't feel burdened by the pressure to achieve results; instead, my focus is solely on giving my absolute best effort and showing appreciation for the people who have invested so much in my success. Of course, this doesn't mean I'm any less driven to deliver the best possible outcomes - the pressure I feel is healthy and highly motivating.
As you look ahead to the future, what are your primary goals and aspirations for the 2024 season and beyond?
To capture the World Championship, European Championship, and UCI World Series - ideally all in a single dominant year, and ideally in 2024 - is my ultimate aspiration!
And last but not least! What do you expect from this years edition of the world cup in Nové Mesto na Morave?
I expect nothing less than a victory!
