Yesterday Zdenek Stybar was one of the participants in "Boonen and Friends", a cyclo-cross race around the Zilvermeer in Mol for charity. Those who thought that the race was going to set Stybar up for an ambitious cyclo-cross campaign, were left disappointed. "I'm not going to do five races," Stybar told Sporza.

For several years, Zdenek Stybar has already had the road season as his main goal, but the Czech had previously announced that he again wants to ride a number of cross races this season. How often and where is still undecided.

"This week I will decide which cross races I'll do. I'm not going to do five crosses, I think. That won't work. It does not fit into my preparation.

"After the team camp I will participate in two or three races. I will certainly not do the Worlds. It does not fit into my program and the course is not to be compared with the one in Hoogerheide (where Stybar became world champion in 2014, ed).

"The course for the Worlds in Zolder is very technical. I do not think I can compete for victory there. I also really do not invest the necessary time. I want to focus everything on the spring classics."

For Stybar, the cyclo-cross season is like a snack. He does not expect that he will be able to challenge the likes of Nys, Van Aert or Van der Poel.

"No, certainly not. I don't have the condition and I don't master the technique anymore. The cross in Mol was the first time where I rode a cross bike since last year's race in Ardooie.

"It's really impossible that I will compete for victories. I have seen the the riders between fifth and fifteenth are evenly matched, but I think I will end up behind tenth place."

Does Stybar still follow cyclo-cross? "I have only watched the cross in Koksijde this year. Nys was impressive. I was very happy for him. Everyone said he is worn out and no longer able to win. He showed what a professional he is. He won twice and that's impressive."