Zdenek Stybar is nearing the end of his professional career, which will conclude on February 4, 2024, after the Cyclocross World Championship in Tábor. However, before that, he is dedicated to staying competitive in Cyclocross. The Czech rider participated in the Exact Cross Loenhout on December 29, finishing in a solid 13th place.
With the goal of competing and preparing for the World Championship in the Czech Republic, the veteran cyclist from Jayco AlUla confirms that he has managed to form his own team to achieve this purpose.
“In fact, I am doing everything I can to start in Tábor in the best possible way. It won’t be about winning, but I just want to finish my career in good condition and with good feelings, knowing that I did everything I could for the last time. I’ve done that throughout my career, and suddenly I don’t want to do less now,” he said to the Dutch website Indeleiderstrui.
So far, the results of the 38-year-old cyclist are enough for him to secure a spot in the Czech national team’s lineup, which races at home. It is the ultimate goal for the former World Champion (2010, 2011, and 2014) before retiring.
Team built amid training
“Amid all the hustle, I had to organize everything at the last minute. I founded my own team with my own sponsors,” confirms Stybar, in his new colors. “It was a very good experience but also quite challenging. I had to do everything between training. I trained for four to six hours a day, and then I had to spend the other six to eight hours on phone calls, emails, and things like that.”
The contract with Jayco AlUla ended on December 31, 2023.
“Now, almost everything worked out. Certainly not as I wanted, but it will be okay. I found out very late that I couldn’t renew my contract with Jayco AlUla; I only received that confirmation before the Tour de Guangxi.”
“After I returned from China, I also took the Team DS course in Switzerland. I also lost time, so to speak, but it was all very educational. Is it something for after my career? Maybe, but first, I want to invest time in my family. They come first,” concludes the Czech.
Watch the video with Stybar’s performance in Cyclocross.