Zdenek Stybar talks health issues, Quick-Step's non-renewal and future goals in cycling - "Everything is possible"

Zdenek Stybar is one of the most experienced faces in the cobbled classics, having since 2010 been part of the Quick-Step Alpha Vinyl Team structure, and having taken countless high level wins over the years.

2022 will be his last year with the Belgian team. The non-renewal from the team came as a tough hit, and in an interview with Het Laatste Nieuws he talked about the several health issues, injuries and family issues that have prevented him from performing at his best level. That includes this season, where up until last week, few had been seen from the Czech rider. “After my illness in Paris-Nice, in March, I ended up in a downward spiral. Initially no one could really help me. Because people don't know what exactly is going through your mind. My non-selection for the Giro especially hit me hard. After that disappointing classic spring, that's what I had set myself as a goal. It fit in with all the disappointments of the past two years," he said.

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Whereas in previous years Stybar had won classics such as Strade Bianche, E3 Saxo Bank Classic and the BinkBank Tour, this past year saw him absent from the front. In 2021 promising Top10 results at the E3 classic and the World championships proved he still has the legs, but there were a lot of issues alongside that path.

“I ended up in a negative energy flow and it radiated. It wasn't until I caught myself typing the search terms 'depression' and 'burnout' into Google that I understood: enough is enough, I have to intervene," he detailed. Recently he almost took a stage win at the Tour de Pologne, and rode into second place at the Tour of Leuven where he sparked the winning move. The veteran seems back to good form, but it wasn't enough to convince the team management to renew his contract.

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“It came on top of it, just when I thought I'd finally had it all. That doesn't make it any easier to compare. But I have to respect Patrick [Lefevere]'s decision. He also sometimes has to say 'it has been good' and let people go. Today it's me, tomorrow someone else," he revealed. "Fair enough. I had great years at Quick.Step, was always paid correctly, gave a lot for the team but also got a lot in return".

Sybar hinted that he wants to return to Cyclocross, where he's thrived in the past. With teams such as Alpecin-Fenix and Intermarché - Wanty - Gobert Matériaux having a lot of focus in the cobbled classics and mixing their riders' program with cyclocross, he should gather the interest of World Tour teams. "...Anyway. It's my plan, of course. Not his [Lefevere's]. What I absolutely want to avoid is someone else determining the end of my career," he continued.

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"Everything is possible. I have no idea of ​​the specific interest, I have to discuss that with my manager Dries Smets," he answered regarding the possibility of a move to a team of a smaller division. "I don't want to be too busy with it myself, it would only cause me unnecessary stress and panic. What comes, that comes".

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