Zdenek Stybar secures elite men’s cyclocross world title in Holland
Czech Republic’s Zdeněk Štybar and Belgium’s Wout Van Aert secured cyclocross world titles in the elite and under-23 men’s races held in Hoogerheide, Netherlands on Sunday.
In the elite men’s race, Štybar made his winning move during the final lap, attacking the defending champion from Belgium, Sven Nys, and finishing with a 12-second advantage. Kevin Pauwels finished in third place.
In a post-race interview, Štybar confessed that he thought his podium hopes were over when he crashed in a sweeping right-hand turn, forcing Nys to hop off his bike and hop over the downed Czech racer. Nys, however, wasn’t able to capitalize on Štybar’s mistake.
“I really didn’t expect the title for world champion,” said Štybar. The Omega Pharma-QuickStep rider’s focus is the road. The world championship race was only his seventh cyclocross competition this season and his decision to participate was last-minute.
Štybar also won the elite titles at the 2010 and 2011 world championships.
Canada’s Mike Garrigan finished the race a lap down in 49th place and Aaron Schooler was three laps down in 54th place. Schooler announced over Twitter that he was T-boned during the race by another rider.
This is the second time I've been T-Boned by a french rider. Not a good day at #CXWORLDS. #Brokenshifter #DFL
— Aaron Schooler (@aschooler6) February 2, 2014
In the under-23 race, Van Aert separated himself from the field on the first lap and won the title ahead of his teammate Michael Vanthourenhout and Holland’s Mathieu van der Poel.
Canada’s Michael van den Ham finished in 40th and Connor Wilson, 54th place.
