The Tour of Flanders has not quite become what Styby and his team Omega Pharma-Quick Step expected of it. After twenty kilometers triple winner and leader Tom Boonen fell out of the race, so the team had to continue without a big leader.
“Not quite true”, Styby responds. “Our plan was ruined, but we still had some other leader and that was Sylvain Chavanel. He became our leader and so we had to protect him. But it was a damn shame that we lost Boonen with all his experience.”
So Zdenek worked for Chavanel. “Actually my first job was to counter attacks at the beginning of the race. Later I had to assist ‘Chava’ and bring him in the best possible position to the last couple of climbs. And that’s what I did. I took him to the front of the group.”
“After the last passage on the Oude Kwaremont and Paterberg I had no more power to stay in the front group. I’m satisfied with my first Tour of Flanders. I ended after 260 kilometers as 36th at 2’49” behind winner Fabian Cancellara. His attack was amazing. I saw it on TV during dinner.”
What’s next, Styby? “Paris-Roubaix! I’m back in! A new dream come true.”