Styby took an excellent start to the season. In the Vuelta a Murcia he immediately ended on the podium. “And I’m happy with it, although second place also had been possible. But a car blocked the perfect line at the finish.”
The Vuelta a Murcia, or simply the Tour of Murcia, was 198 kilometers long and had six climbs. An early breakaway gave the race some color and in the final it all came together as expected. “Until that moment I still didn’t know where I would end up.”
That feeling changed on the 15 kilometer long climb toward the last 50 kilometers. “On the top we were only with about 20 guys left. I was happy to be there, because a climb of 15 kilometers is not my favorite thing in a race.”
“Once over the top Rein Taaramae took the lead and rode away from us. He must have been very strong, because there was a strong side- and headwind and he just took more than two minutes ahead. So when we started the final climb, we knew it was for second place.”
Zdenek rode a strong sprint and finished third after Bauke Mollema. “Just before the finishline there was a parked car! I didn’t take any risks and chose for a safe third place. Not bad of course. Tomorrow I will start in the Clasica de Almeria.”