"There is a disappointment" after another second near miss in a week for Zdenek Stybar

Zdenek Stybar has struggled with form all season long, however this week he has returned to showing very good legs and being in contention to take big wins. However today after finishing second at the Tour of Leuven, it is mostly disappointment for the Czech rider.

“It’s disappointing because it’s the second time this week that I came close to taking the victory," Stybar said in a post-race interview. "At the same time, I’m also happy that I could be in this position to fight for a win. This morning the team told me they would pull for me, and this confidence they had in me was a major boost for me. It was a hard race and I gave my best during the day and in the break".

Earlier this week he struck out at the Tour de Pologne, attacking in the final kilometers and being caught in sight of the line on stage four, and he showed the same explosiveness today in Leuven as he attacked with 25 kilometers to go together with Victor Campenaerts in what was the decisive move. The duo went on to fight for the win between themselves, with Stybar eventually not managing to take the win in the final sprint - which would be his first in over two and a half years.

"In the sprint it was always going to be 50/50, I did everything, but it wasn’t enough. As I said, there is a disappointment, but I am also satisfied with having the form to be up there," he concluded.