Zdenek is world champion cyclo-cross again! Our man was a little bit stronger than the outgoing champion Sven Nys. “I’m very happy with this title. I didn’t expect it at all”, Styby said after the finish. “I was aiming for the podium and now I have the jersey.”

“You know, actually last week I was not sure if I should start here in Hoogerheide. I read reports about the gravity of the track, so I hesitated a little. Thursday I came here to see the track myself and my doubts were gone. I knew I could do something here.”

But then he had to start well. “I was in fourth or fifth row, I do not know exactly. My start was not quite right, though I succeeded after half a lap to join the head of the race. It was not easy and it cost me a lot of power, but it was very important.”

After the first lap Styby attacked. “I looked around and saw that we were with four riders. And later only Sven Nys and Lars van der Haar were still there. I didn’t have to wait for anyone and I wanted to make the race hard. And so I gave full gas.”

With results: Van der Haar had to let go and only Nys was left. The two went together into the final round. “I knew where I wanted to be in first position. I always made mistakes in the forest and I knew when I was leading and made a mistake, Nys also had to run. But this time I didn’t make a mistake and Nys did.”

Our Czech took six seconds ahead and didn’t gave it out of his hands. “I cannot believe it. I came here for a place on the podium and now I grab the jersey. My third. I am very happy and proud. What am I going to do now? Going to enjoy. And Tuesday to explore the Tour of Flanders.”


Results

1. Zdenek Stybar (Cze) 01:05:29
2. Sven Nys (Bel) + 12
3. Kevin Pauwels (Bel) + 40
4. Klaas Vantornout (Bel) + 59
5. Tom Meeusen (Bel) + 1:07
6. Lars van der Haar (Ned) + 1:22
7. Rob Peeters (Bel) + 1:43
8. Francis Mourey (Fra)+ 1:53
9. Radomir Simunek (Cze) + 2:04
10. Wietse Bosmans (Bel) + 2:11


By Niels on 02/02/2014