01/02/2024

"I wasn't ready for the end of my career. But on the other hand, maybe that's a good thing" - Zdenek Stybar on final pro race, World Championships and Mathieu van der Poel

Zdenek Stybar is in talks with a Czech team where he could possibly race again as a pro, or become a DS, but as for the time being this weekend's Cyclocross World Championships in Tabor should be his very last race as a professional cyclist. The 38-year old talks about it.

"You know, somehow I still don't really realise. In Hoogerheide, when I passed the line, I was a little bit emotional, but it was because all the people were cheering for me," Stybar told Cyclingnews. "It was one moment, but on the other hand, I've been busy trying to be in the best shape possible. I'm too busy to really realise it's the end. I think it will all come later, but right now I'm too busy to realise it.

“I haven’t actually missed anything all these years” - David van der Poel struggles to find enjoyment in retirement

Stybar had a very busy winter, first trying to find a contract with a new team, then creating his own so that he could still be in the cyclocross field. He has succeeded in doing so and has nine races under his belt over the past few months. As the home team, Stybar had extra space to be in the Worlds, but his third spot at the national championships confirms that he's got the form to be one of the country's best in Tabor.

If he hangs up his wheels this Sunday, he is ready for it: "I wasn't ready for the end of my career. But on the other hand, maybe that's a good thing. I can just calm down, focus on my family, be more with them and then start up some new project, whatever that will be."

Startlist Cyclocross World Championships including Mathieu van der Poel, Eli Iserbyt, Michael Vanthourenhout, Fem van Empel and Puck Pieterse

He was asked about main favourite for the rainbow jersey Mathieu van der Poel, but denies having any chance of competing for the win. "No, I don't think anyone can beat him, there's no way. Even if he has mechanical problems, he can close a gap of a minute on that course."

"I'm in quite good shape, but I know I can't change the body from road to be explosive for cyclocross just like that. I don't want to say I'll only be happy with a top 10, but it doesn't really matter if I'm 10th, 15th or 20th, it's just more for my mind," he assures. "I just want to stop with a feeling that I did everything. I want to show that I was professional, motivated and enjoying it, right to the end."