White, red and blue colours still important to Omega Pharma-Quick Step rider despite wearing the rainbow jersey for two years
It’s hard to see it under the rainbow stripes of his World champion’s jersey, but Omega Pharma-Quick Step’s Zdenek Stybar is also the champion of the Czech Republic; as he has been for each of the past four years. Although he hasn’t worn the white, red and blue jersey in competition since taking his first rainbow one on the Czech course in Tabor in January 2010, the 26-year-old is keen to keep hold of it, despite likely pressure from some stiff competition this year.
After a full road season Stybar has been less than his previous dominant self in cyclocross; he has taken just four victories this winter, the biggest of which was the Superprestige race in Hamme-Zogge back in mid-November, although a post-Christmas return to form has seen him take three second places in four races, including a narrow sprint defeat to Kevin Pauwels in the Boxing Day World Cup race in Heusden-Zolder.
“I will be really disappointed if I don’t win,” said Stybar on his personal website zdenekstybar.com. “But if someone is better, I’ll have to accept that.”
With his return to form, Stybar declares himself ready for Sunday’s race; although he admits that he is not very well rested ahead of the contest.
“I trained well on Monday and Wednesday,” he explained, “so I’m not starting with the freshest legs. But the championship is very important to me, though there is that one race at the end of January [the World championships in Koksijde, Belgium – ed] that has a bit more meaning.
Being based in Belgium for most of the year – where his team is headquartered, and where most of the top cyclocross races are held – Stybar has had to travel south to the race venue in Uničov in the east of his home country.
“[Girlfriend] Ine and I arrived in the Czech Republic yesterday [Thursday – ed],” Stybar explained. “We were invited to a party in Prague to celebrate my team’s co-owner, Bessel Kok’s 70th birthday. We’ll make the 250km journey to Uničov on Saturday and then recon the course in the afternoon.
Stybar has raced at the Uničov venue before, but did not enjoy very good luck on his previous visit.
“I’ve raced in Uničov before, but don’t have any good memories of it,” he said. “There was a race there in the Czech Cup a few years ago. I crashed, had mechanical problems and didn’t win. I hope things will go better on Sunday.”
The late Radomir Simunek senior is the outright record holder with seven Czech national titles, but Stybar is steadily closing in on his total and aims to beat it before long.
“It’s a big motivating factor to match him,” Stybar said. “I have five titles now and that’s the same number that my Czech coach Vojta Cervinek has. But I’m not thinking about number seven. A sixth title is the goal now. I only want gold. The jersey is very important to me.”
Racing against them every weekend, Stybar knows exactly who his main competition will be; although – especially with recent results – the defending champion should be able to hold his jersey with not too much trouble.
“Martin Zlamalik,” he said. “He’s been really good lately; and Radomir Simunek junior of course, he’s always good at the championship. Dlasky [six-time champion Petr Dlask – ed] might surprise if it’s really muddy. But I’ll be really disappointed if I don’t win.”
Of the three riders Stybar is way of, Simunek – the son of the legendary seven-time champion – has the better results. Consistency has been the 28-year-old’s problem however, with strong top ten finishes often followed by disappointing results, way out of contention.
One factor that should spur Stybar on though, and likely push him on to another national title, will be his Czech fan club. With few chances to see their local hero race on his home courses, his fans will doubtless be extra vocal as he races around the Uničov course.
“Absolutely!” he exclaimed. “I really need to hear their cheers during the race! That gives me a lot of power!”