Recent days have seen growing speculation that world cyclo-cross champion Zdenek Stybar could be on his way to a pro contract with the FDJ team. The 24 year old Czech rider has said that he wants to branch out into a road career, targeting races such as the Tour of Flanders and Paris-Roubaix, and rumours started circulating at the recent Saverne cyclo cross race that he was bound for the French team.
It was reasoned that the match would be a good one, given that the team also has cyclo-cross interests.
However one of the sites who first reported the possible link, Cyclism’Actu, has now dug a little deeper and reports that while Stybar might be interested in a top level pro career, that it won’t be with the French squad.
It contacted the team and an un-named source confirmed that the rumour was inaccurate. The dominant cross rider therefore won’t be joining Francis Mourey and Steve Chainel there, nor wearing its colours in the Classics next spring.
Stybar’s stated intention to compete on the road is likely to attract a lot of interest, though. His strength is clear, he has dominated the 2010/2011 cross season thus far, and it seems only a matter of time before he gets the chance to show off his talents on the tarmac.