Zdenek Stybar won’t be present at the the cyclocross world championships in Tabor on Sunday. After he was forced to cancel his participation as a rider, Stybar will now also skip his job as a commentator for Czech Television. "If I go to Tabor, I will lose four or five days in my preparation and the spring classics are rapidly approaching.”

Five years ago, Stybar took his first Worlds title in Tabor. This year the Worlds will again take place in his home country.

"It will be a very exciting race," Stybar told Sporza. "It's snowing at the moment and that always provides special races. Mathieu van der Poel and Tom Meeusen ride well on show and Kevin Pauwels always has a good plan.

"I have not checked the weather forecasts for the coming days but at this time of the year it's always cold in the Czech Republic. Therefore the snow will not melt but at the moment the pros can expect to ride on a course that is a mix of snow and mud.

"I don’t think we can expect a Czech surprise. Maybe from Martin Bina. He is always good on snow and ice and he is a rider from whom you never know what to expect. But he has a big disadvantage when it comes to form. He has not had a good season.”

Stybar would usually be present at the Worlds in a different role. Stybar has been invited by the Czech television as a commentator, but from Spain, where he is currently attending a training camp, he canceled at the last minute.

"Last week, a doctor made some new implants due to my crash in the Eneco Tour. As a result I have not trained for a week," said Stybar.

"If I go to Tabor, I would lose four or five days in my preparation and the spring classics are rapidly approaching. Because of the weather difference between Spain and the Czech Republic, I would even face an extra risk of getting sick.

"I was looking forward to going to Tabor and soak up the Worlds atmosphere. But actually I would prefer to bring three bikes and be part of the race. Frankly, I have been regretting not going there as a rider since the Christmas season.

"What can I mainly regret is that I did not really enjoy my rainbow jersey. You don’t win the Worlds every year.”