Zdeněk Štybar (Omega Pharma-Quick Step) is to see out the last few races of the cyclocross season, despite the disappointment of losing his rainbow jersey, and the virus that meant that he was unable to put up a solid defence of it on Sunday. The Czech was by far the most cheered non-Belgian rider on the sand Koksijde circuit, with thousands of supporters wearing pink to match his special-edition Specialized Crux bike; even this was not enough though, as flu contracted shortly before the race meant that he was unable to withstand the seven-man Belgian onslaught, and he slumped to a career-worst 13th place.
He is recovering from the virus though, and so is looking forward to the next few races, where he will wear the Czech champion’s jersey that has not been seen since he won his first rainbow in January 2010.
“In the last few hours I’ve been feeling a little bit better,” he explained. “For me it was really hard to accept the fact that I couldn’t be at 100% on the most important day for my season. Unfortunately, it can happen that you get sick and weeks of training go down the tubes in a matter of hours. However, as is in my nature, I’m trying to get over it as soon as possible, to leave this experience behind me.
“The team and I have agreed to continue racing until the end of the cyclocross season,” he added. “After that I’ll focus on the road season.”
Like many riders that suffered disappointing Worlds races – including Sven Nys (Landbouwkrediet) – Štybar sat out today’s race in Maldegem, Belgium, but should be on the start line of Saturday’s Gazet van Antwerpen (GvA) Trofee race in Lille, Belgium, and Sunday’s Hoogstraten Superprestige.
The season ends on February 19th with the GvA Trofee deciding Sluitingsprijs [Closing race – ed] in Oostmalle, close to Antwerp, Belgium, after which Štybar will be taking a well earned rest.
“We decided not to start on the road immediately,” explained Omega Pharma-Quick Step directeur sportif Wilfried Peeters. “Zdeněk will calmly finish his cyclocross season and then he’ll take a break, after which he’ll start his road racing activities as planned.
“A period of both physical and mental rest is necessary so he can show up refreshed for his first road races,” Pieters added. “Zdeněk’s road debut for the season still hasn’t been decided. We’ll be discussing his schedule in the next few weeks."