Comeback to top "like I was winning the World Cup" for Zdenek Stybar

Zdenek Stybar made his return to cyclocross last week at the two Grand Pix Dohnany where he took a win close to home in Slovakia. He had pointed his attentions towards the Tabor World Cup race, being his home's prestine Cyclocross event, and was satisfied with the outcome.

"The Czech supporters were wonderful", the Czech said in a post race interview. "Like I was winning the World Cup. For a better result I still miss technique. Fortunately, every cross is getting better and better." After finishing 16th in the modest-startlisted Kermiscross Ardooie, not many expectations were on the Quick-Step Alpha Vinyl Team rider. Although a result within the Top10 wasn't in the expectations of many, he rode a strong race from back to the middle of the pack.

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Stybar started the race in the back rows of the 35-rider field, and found himself within the Top25 over the first lap. The riders remained very compact in the first half of the fast race in Tabor, and he made his way through the field slowly. Stybar ended up achieving a 17th spot at the finish line, amongst well-seasoned CX pros such as Felipe Orts and Thomas Mein directly, a result which saw him very happily cross the line in celebration.

He will likely take a break now, but will aim to return still this year to get some more competition in, as the former World Champion looks to recover some of the sharpness he's had in previous years. "During the Christmas period I want to ride a few crosses again. All in preparation for the new road season," he concluded.

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