"A nice goal, because I still really like to race": Zdeněk Stybar sets goal for 2024 Olympic Games in Cyclocross amidst talks about road cycling retirement

The veteran 37 years old rider and Jayco-AIUla new signing, Zdeněk Stybar, opened up about his future and expectations in his new team in an Interview with In de Leiderstrui. The Czech affirmed that he adapted very well to his new team after 12 seasons with Soudal-Quick-Step team.

"I quickly got used to the new environment. The colours already help, I was a bit nervous to start at a different employer, but it's going much better than I expected", he said

Stybar suffered some health problems in the most recent years, with a coronavirus infection in 2020 and hearth arrhythmia in the next year that didn't make Stybar doing much during these seasons. Now in 2023 Stybar feels fully recovered, but he still lowered the expectations about his classics results.

"Above all, I want to stay healthy. And then I will still race well, although I don't know where I am at the moment. I know myself that I haven't ridden finals for a while. That's why I don't set goals like winning the Tour of Flanders. Of course, I want to, but Michael Matthews is our number one. I'm also not used to racing as a leader any more", Stybar stated.

With 37 years and only 1 year of contract with Jayco-AIUla, Stybar, who struggled last season to find a team, is already thinking about his retirement in the road cycling. His goal will probably be the 2024 Paris Olympic Games but not on the road cycling, he aims for the Gravel and Cyclocross disciplines, specially cyclocross where he is a 3 times world champion.

"That could be a farewell. That's why I wanted to do a lot of crosses this year over the Christmas period. To know what I need to work on. A nice goal, because I still really like to race. Only when I start seeing off more than enjoying it, I think it's been good", he concluded.