Velonews: With Training Behind Schedule, Stybar Limits €cross Racing

Zdenek Stybar rode onto the podium at Paris-Roubaix in 2015. He'll continue to intensify his focus on road events for 2016, forgoing cyclocross almost entirely. Photo: Jim Fryer | BrakeThrough Media | brakethroughmedia.com
Three-time cyclocross world champion Zdenek Stybar will limit himself to just one ‘cross race this winter, saying that his fitness is a bit behind schedule. He’ll race the Bpost Bank Trofee Series race in Essen, Saturday, December 5.
“After the Boonen and Friends charity event, I talked with my team and agreed that I wouldn’t do any cyclocross event this season, except Essen, and instead turn my attention to road training prior to the next season,” said Stybar, who enters his sixth season with the Etixx-Quick-Step squad in 2016.
This is in contrast to Lars Boom, a fellow ‘cross star-cum-road professional, who yesterday announced a schedule of six cyclocross races this season.
“If I compare my condition with the one I had last year I have to say that I’m a little bit behind schedule, which was obvious also last weekend in the Boonen and Friends cyclocross,” Stybar continued in a team statement. “For me it’s a tough decision, because everybody knows how much I’m fond of this discipline, but I don’t want to race a cyclocross calendar without being in good condition, because it would be disrespectful for the organizers and the fans. I’m glad to ride Essen and meet my supporters there, as I have some great memories from this race and many friends there. Then, after Saturday, I will focus on my preparation for the road season, joining my team in Denia for the first training camp of the season.”
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