Czech's fans want to see more than just black, yellow and red at Belgium’s home race
To show themselves in the crowd, and to stand out from the multitudes of Belgians on the barriers at this coming weekend’s World cyclocross championships in Koksijde, Belgium, fans of defending champion Zdenek Stybar (Omega Pharma-Quick Step) are being asked to “Wear Pink”. The Czech – who has won the last two World titles, and looks a good bet for a third after recent World Cup performances – wants fans to match their attire to the Specialized bike that he has been riding since the New Year.
Styby has been sporting a rather fetching pink fedora hat before many of this year’s races and, as he announced via Twitter today, has also been presented with a new set of pink eyewear by Oakley; his fans are now called to do the same.
“To support our champion,” said one of the Styby fans that initiated the campaign, according to his personal website. “For example, you can pick up a pink hat, a pink scarf or a pink cap in various stores.
“We need to make sure black, yellow and red aren’t the only colours in Koksijde!”
Stybar’s ‘cross campaign appeared to be faltering a little in November and December, with the two-time World champion feeling the effects of a full road programme in 2011. Since retaining his Czech title earlier this month however, the 26-year-old has found something of his previous form; taking first and second respectively at the last two World Cup races in Liévin, France, and Hoogerheide, Netherlands.
He will start as one of the big favourites to keep his title on Sunday, on the Dunes of the north Belgian coast where he took the World Cup race in 2009. Should he take a third straight rainbow jersey, Styby’s fans will doubtless paint the town pink.