Early last month, Etixx-QuickStep sports director Wilfried Peeters underlined that there will be "no Stybar in this cross winter." But as he talked to Sporza at th Koppenbergcross, things seemed to have changed. "He will wait for the winter to see how he recovers from the road season and it may be that he does a bit of cross." The World Championships in Zolder? "I do not think so." Loenhout, Baal and Leuven are among the possibilities.

In recent years, Stybar who has won three gold medals in cyclo-cross, has always done a bit of cyclo-cross. In 2014 he won the title in Hoogerheide after having turned his attention to the toad. That is unlikely to be repated in 2016.

Peeters' mind has not changed during the last month.

"Stybar had a very busy season and even struggled with some injuries, he has lost a lot of strength.

"He will wait for the winter to see how he recovers from the road season and then he can maybe do a bit of cross."

Does that include the Worlds? "We do not know. I do not think so," Peeters told Sporza.

But the Sporza commentators Wuyts and Hereijgers are not sure. "Will Stybar ride or not? In any case, the course in Zolder should suit him." The rainbow battle will be held finished in Limburg on January 31.

The Belga news agency has learned that several organizers are in negotiations with Zdenek Stybar, but the asking price of the Czech is a difficult issue. Apparently, he already planned to do a race this year but failed to make an agreement with the organizers.

However, the rider should, if an agreement on the entry fee is reached, possibly be at the start in Loenhout on December 29, in the GP Sven Nys in Baal on Januart 1and in Leuven on January 3. His cross bikes are reportedly ready for competition.