The cycling season is about to start again. Styby and his team Etixx-Quick Step introduced themselves last week to the press and they spoked about their goals in 2016. “But those are the same as in the last couple of years: the big classics”, says our man.
Styby will start his season at the end of this month, in Mallorca, where traditionally five one-day-races will be ridden. “But which ones I will ride, I do not know. The team will decide. After Mallorca I’ll be going to Portugal for the Volta ao Algarve.”
A week later: the Omloop Het Nieuwsblad and Kuurne-Brussel-Kuurne. “But without me. The team wanted me to start, but I asked them if I could train instead. And they accepted it. In the beginning of March I’ll defend my title in the Strade Bianche.”
The rest of his program: Tirreno-Adriatico, Milano-Sanremo, the E3 Harelbeke, Gent-Wevelgem, the Tour of Flanders and Paris-Roubaix. “One of those last two I would definitely want to win. These monuments are my big goals this season.”
“I’m currently already pretty far with training, more than in the recent years. So I’m very motivated. We also have a strong team. I believe in it.” After Roubaix the Amstel Gold Race and Liege-Bastogne-Liege will probably follow. “Only if my legs are still good.”
After a short break Zdenek will prepare himself for the after season. “I would like to go to the Tour de France again. Last year I won a stage. But it will be hard again to get into the selection. There are a lot of riders who want to go to the Tour.”
And with the new riders, Marcel Kittel and Daniel Martin, it won’t get easier. “They are both very strong. Great singings for the team. Kittel is our new sprinter and our selection for the Tour will be built around him I think. But we shall see. It is still far away.”
Finally: the Olympics in Rio? “For sure. I hope I can go.”