The former cyclo-cross world champion currently tackling the road in the Omega Pharma-Quick Step outfit, Zdenek Stybar, is still uncertain about his participation in the coming UCI World Championships in the discipline, to be held in Hoogerheide next weekend.
As the news were announced, that Stybar would take part in six cyclo-cross races this season it has been underlined, that his participation in World Championships will be strictly depended on the results he would achieve and on the decision of his Belgian team, while road racing is now a priority for the Czech rider .
Even though 28-year old cyclist has shown a fairly satisfying disposition, claiming a victory in the race held in Bredene in December, he is still uncertain about whether to attend in the Worlds next weekend, or not. However, it was reported that Stybar has spent some time to properly prepare himself for the upcoming event during the training camp, which Omega Pharma-Quick Step team is currently having in Mallorca.
While the race organizer, Paul Herygers, is praying to God for the attendance of the Czech star, he turned out to be practical enough to use as well some less metaphysical methods to convince Stybar, supplying him with a proper equipment.
"I pray with my two hands that Zdenek is in Hoogerheide," Herygers said on the cycling show Velofollies, according to cyclo-cross.info.
"The Vespa he received in Bredene was a 50 cc. With that, Zdenek would be back at the novice or junior level, but he is past that point," Herygers said.
"He needs one that can go 60kph now. Therefore, Zdenek requested and received a larger 125cc model. Now he can make himself ready for the world championships in Mallorca."
While Stybar presented a satisfying form throughout the cyclo-cross season and most likely received a nod from Omega Pharma-Quick Step management, now the weather is told to be a decisive factor. The current prediction is for temperatures above freezing during the day, with some possible rain or snow on Saturday, but clear skies and warmer temperatures for the men's race next Sunday.
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