Zdenek Stybar will continue to ride the cyclo-cross in 2012
It was believed that Zdenek Stybar will focus on the road race for the coming season and may not ride in the cyclo-cross. He has now denied the reports during an interview in Loenhout and has stated that he will continue to ride the discipline.
Stybar mentioned initially that he will follow Lars Boom’s footsteps, who used cyclo-cross only as a preparation race for the road event.
He quoted earlier, “If I should fail on the road, I can always go back fully [to cross], but for now I really do not intend to do so".
Contrary to his previous statement, the former world champion insisted that he can never leave cyclo-cross as he truly loves it.
He also verified the news that his focus in 2012 will be on the road but the cyclist will also continue with his favourite category of the sport.
Stybar was pressurised by his dipping performance and his team manager, Wilfried Peeters, to concentrate on one discipline only.
Peeters pointed out that there are no doubts about the cyclist’s potential or his abilities but he must learn to choose in life.
He briefed that it is not possible to dominate both the categories of the sport even for someone as talented as Stybar. To this, the cyclist replied, "Everybody has his own approach. I'll do it my way".
Stybar also stated, "I didn't make a decision yet but I'll have to take it at some point. I have the chance to ride in a big team with the best people and the best riders in the world. Then you don't have to doubt too much. Next year I go for it".
To support his argument, the two times former champion has also shown great improvement in his performance in recent weeks.
Zdenek will continue his cyclo-cross season until February 2012 and will make further choices in 2013. He has shown interest to ride the road race events for his country during the London Olympics 2012.
Stybar mentioned that he has already discussed his plans with the national coach who is interested to have him in the side for the Olympics.
Stybar is definitely one of the best talents in the sport and his decision to take road racing and cyclo-cross side by side is a brave one. Only time will tell if Stybar succeeds in both the disciplines of the race, as he is keen to prove himself as a top
cyclo and road racer.
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