As it has been announced a few weeks ago, Omega Pharma-Quick Spet rider Zdenek Stybar will return to competing in cyclo-cross at the event in Essen, held on December 21th. Although the cyclist originating from Czech Republic had once indicated that he wanted to focus exclusively on road races – and so far he did, achieving some respectable results, he decided to participate in several events of his previous speciality.

Apart from the competitions taking place in Essen, 28-year old former cyclo-cross champion will be seen also at 26 , 27 , 28 and 29 December respectively in the test of the World Cup in Zolder, at Loenhout , Bredene and Diegem. The last test will be scheduled for the first day of 2014 to Baal .

"For me, cyclocross will always be a big passion that is difficult to give up completely, even though my focus is now primarily on the road," Stybar said on the official website of the Omega Pharma - Quick Step

"It's an environment that I like a lot and that allows me to be near the fans that have supported me since my career began."
 

It still remains an unanswered question, whether Stybar will participate in the Czech National Championships, scheduled for February 12th, while they coincide with Omega Pharma – Quick step training camp held in the beginning of February. The Czech cyclist does not rule out his participation in cyclo-cross World Championships, although it remains depended on the results he’s going to achieve in the preceding events, as well as on the requirements related to the preparation for the Classic and the 2014 season on the road.

"I don't know yet if I will partecipate in the Czech National Championships because they coincide with the team training camp, which is an important time for building a base for the new season. The World Championships are still a possibility. My participation will depend on how I feel in these first cyclocross races and on my level of preparation for the road season. If I am there, it will be to ride a good race."

Stybar's 2013-2014 cyclocross schedule is as follows:

12/21/2013: Essen

12/26/2013: Zolder (World Cup)

12/27/2013: Loenhout

12/28/2013: Bredene

12/29/2013: Diegem

01/01/2014: Baal