Zdenek Stybar to focus only on road race in 2012
Former Cyclo-cross World Champion, Zdenek Stybar has finally agreed with his coach to concentrate only on road cycling in the season ahead.
The cyclist claimed the world title twice in a row and he was positive this year but could not overcome the Belgians during the 2012 Cyclo-cross World Championships in Koksijde.
He finished 3 minutes and 17 seconds behind the race leader to achieve his 13th position.
Belgian rider, Niels Albert, won the race with Rob Peeters, Kevin Pauwels, Tom Meeusen, Bart Aernouts and Klaas Vantornout claiming the next five spots.
The news was confirmed by Wilfried Peeters, Omega Pharma-Quickstep Manager. He told Het Laatste Nieuws that the cyclist decided against riding both the disciplines.
He informed, "Next season, Stybar will race Cyclo-cross only as preparation for the road season. He will still race some 'cross, but will no longer fight for the overall rankings. This year was a good learning experience for him, but the results were a bit
disappointing”.
Zdenek was riding both the cyclo and the road events for the past two years against his coach’s will.
His dipping performance this year is a clear indication that achieving the top spot in both the categories of the sport is a task too difficult for the Czech.
The 26-year-old was disappointed after his 13th place finish at the world championships, "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”.
He continued, "Unfortunately, it can happen that you get sick and weeks of training go down the tubes in a matter of hours”.
Cyclo-cross is Stybar’s favourite discipline of the sport and despite his coach and Team Manager’s verdict, he will continue to ride the cross events but only to fine-tune his form for the road races.
Zdenek will continue the remaining Cyclo-cross season and his final appearance will be at Oostmalle.
His previous road season started in May at the Four Days of Dunkirk. However, the cyclist has still not finalised his 2012 plans for road race.
Stybar joined the Belgian team in 2011 and is continuing his second successive season with Patrick Lefevere’s team to test his road skills in the coming season.
Tags: