Zdenek Stybar has decided with the staff of his Etixx-Quick Step team not to ride cyclo-cross this winter. The Czech rider is one of the most popular cyclo-cross racers. Indeed, he won the World Championships three times (2010, 2011 and 2014). In 2011 Štybar began his professional road career while continuing to race cyclo-cross.

Etixx-QuickStep directeur sportif Wilfried Peeters was interviewed by Het Nieuwsblad about the winter calendar of his leader. "Zdenek has invested a lot of strength in preparation for the World Championships on the road in Richmond and must also handle jet lag. It seems to us therefore better not to race this winter, so Stybar can be equipped to begin the new road season."

Last month, before the World Championships in Richmond, the rider explained he was feeling the effects of a long and hard season. "I am tired already," he said. "In previous years, I have just done the races in December and it's very high intensity already. I don't know but I would love to do some races. I hope I will manage to do a few."

Stybar ended his road season at yesterday's Binche-Chimay-Binche.