Today, Zdenek Stybar won the Cyclo-Cross World Championship for the third time in his career. It was a long tough battle against last year’s world champion Sven Nys, but Nys couldn’t keep up with Stybar in the final sprint.

Stybar says that he is very happy with the victory ad that he didn’t expect to take the win.

“I’m very happy with this title. I didn’t expect it at all”, Styby said to his website. “I was aiming for the podium and now I have the jersey.”

“You know, actually last week I was not sure if I should start here in Hoogerheide. I read reports about the gravity of the track, so I hesitated a little. Thursday I came here to see the track myself and my doubts were gone. I knew I could do something here.”

The Czech didn’t start well and was placed back in the peloton.

“I was in fourth or fifth row, I do not know exactly. My start was not quite right, though I succeeded after half a lap to join the head of the race. It was not easy and it cost me a lot of power, but it was very important.”

After driving up the front group, he decided to attack them.

“I looked around and saw that we were with four riders. And later only Sven Nys and Lars van der Haar were still there. I didn’t have to wait for anyone and I wanted to make the race hard. And so I gave full gas.”

He came for a place on the podium and grabbed the jersey instead.

“I cannot believe it. I came here for a place on the podium and now I grab the jersey. My third. I am very happy and proud. What am I going to do now? Going to enjoy. And Tuesday to explore the Tour of Flanders.”