Before the start of the road season, Zdenek Stybar will return to his first love, cyclo-cross, for two races in Belgium, just before the New Year. The 31-year-old, one of the finest riders in the history of the sport, triple World Champion (2010, 2011, 2014), winner of the World Cup and of the Superprestige, will race in Loenhout, where he triumphed in 2008, and in Bredene, where he has emerged victorious on two occasions, 2010 and 2013.

"I'm very happy to be back in cyclo-cross after one year. It will be great to get the taste of racing there and have the old feelings come back. Of course, after switching my priority to road in the past years, I can't promise that I'll be a factor in the fight for victory, especially as there's a strong field there, with many riders which are fully focused on cyclo-cross. I just want to enjoy these races and do my best", said Zdenek Stybar ahead of his two appointments.

Loenhout will take place on December 29, with Bredene scheduled one day later. After these events, Stybar will travel to Calpe, where he'll continue his build-up for next season with the Quick-Step Floors Cycling Team.