So hey guys, a few months ago I decided to start a cyclocross story with Zdenek Stybar, but already after the first report my inspiration was gone, and I decided not to post it. Now that I look back at it, I think I can still entertain you guys a little with the preview and first report. Hope you will like it!
14-12-12
Hello! My name is Zdenek Stybar. I am a cyclist from the Czech Republic, and this cyclo-cross season I'll keep you guys updated via this blog. So, let's learn some more about me.
I was born in the small Czech city of Planá u Mariánských LáznÃ, on the 11th of December, 1985, which means I just turned 27. I started cycling at a young age, and in 2002, I became national Junior Cyclo-cross champion, and 3rd in the Cyclo-cross World Championships for Juniors. I repeated that bronze medal in 2003.
A street in Planá u Mariánských LáznÃ
It was in 2005 that I got contacted by the famous Telenet - Fidea cyclo-cross team, and without a doubt, I signed for them. That turned out to be a wise choice, I became not only national U23 Cyclo-cross champion, but also U23 Cyclo-cross world champion! In 2006, I again became both U23 national and U23 world champion. The year after, 2007, I won my first UCI Cyclo-cross World Cup race, Kalmthout. I also managed to win some more crosses that season.
To prevent this from getting boring, we skip to 2010: I won the UCI World Cup Cyclo-cross 2009-2010, 2009–2010 Cyclo-cross Superprestige and I became world champion cyclo-cross Elite men! In the 2010-2011 season I managed to win 2 UCI World Cup Cyclo-cross races; Aigle and Pilsen. I also won 2 Superprestige races, and one race from the GvA Trophy. I again became national champion, and I again became world champion! I won every big prize one can win in this sport, but still I felt that I could do more.
Me winning the 2011 cyclo-cross world championship
That's why, on the 28th of February 2011, I quitted Telenet-Fidea, and a few days later joined the Quick Step road cycling team! Woah, this was different stuff! I only got one victory in my first season as a road cyclist, which was the not-so-prestigious Skoda Cycling Challenge, in the Czech Republic. That's why I continued with cyclo-cross during the 2011-2012 season. I didn't manage to prolong my title as world champion, but I did win one UCI World Cup Cyclo-cross race, two Superprestige races and became national champion once again.
Winning the Skoda Cycling Challenge in my rainbow jersey
In 2012, Quick Step merged with Omega-Pharma - Lotto and formed Omega-Pharma - Quick Step Pro Cycling Team. I was lucky enough to still be in the team. My season was better than 2011, I managed to win a stage in the Vierdaagse van Duinkerke, and became second in the general classification. I also won a stage in the Tour de Pologne, and I became second in the national championships road race.
Winning stage 3 of the Tour de Pologne
This cyclo-cross season, I will ride the following races:
22-12-2012
GP Rouwmoer (Essen)
BPost Bank Trophy
26-12-2012
GP Eric De Vlaeminck (Heusden-Zolder)
World Cup
28-12-2012
Azencross (Loenhout)
BPost Bank Trophy
29-12-2012
Silvestercyclocross (Bredene)
-
30-12-2012
Cyclocross Diegem (Diegem)
Superprestige
01-01-2013
GP Sven Nys (Baal)
Bpost Bank Trophy
12-01-2013
Czech National Championship (Stribro)
National Championship
My goal is to be consistent, and finish on the podium in all these races. Also, I want to win the National Championships in Stribro.
Oh, and just so you know; I'm riding in a one-man team, so I can't get help from any teammates, I'll have to do it all by myself.
Hello and welcome to Essen! Today is one of the most important races in the BPost Bank Trophy, the GP Rouwmoer in Essen. The race is 73kms long, and the terrain is quite hilly.
The favorites:Zdenek Stybar, John Gadret, Jeremy Powers, Niels Wubben, Vinnie Braet
My goal is to win this race, I think my only real threat will be John Gadret.
64km to go - Soon after the wheels started rolling, a few riders broke away from the pack. Most prominent member is Arnold Jeannesson (FDJ)
29km to go - The third time we hit the hills, I felt like the breakaway was too far ahead, and decided to increase the pace a little. The other riders in the peloton didn't feel the same, so I rode away from them.
25km to go - Soon enough, I caught up with the breakaway. They kept trying, but none of them was able to stay in my wheel.
17km to go - The peloton is scared of my attack, so Landbouwkrediet and Sunweb - Revor start chasing. My advantage over the peloton is a little under 30 seconds. Normally you'd say that's by far not enough, but this is cyclo-cross, everything's possible.
5km to go - John Gadret attacked from the peloton, and is only 7 seconds behind me. The peloton is over one and a half minute behind me, so it's clear that John will be my only threat for the victory today.
1800m to go - I blasted over the cobbled section and managed to create a twenty seconds gap to John, but my legs refuse to work. I start my sprint and hope it is enough.
0m to go - Yes, it is! John came close, but my acceleration in the last few km's was enough! I won! Of the 94 starters, only 45 managed to finish.
GP Rouwmoer (Essen)
Czech National Championship (Stribro)
John Gadret, 
Jeremy Powers, 
Niels Wubben, 
