Stybar racks up World Cup win in sprint battle

After winning two races last weekend, Czech champion Zdenek Stybar added to streak with a spectacular win in the fourth round of the UCI Cyclo-cross World Cup in Koksijde.

The Telenet Fidea rider found himself in a group of five coming to the line, and unleashed a perfectly timed sprint to claim the win over Belgian champion Sven Nys and Klaas Vantornout.

World Champion and World Cup leader Niels Albert took fourth ahead of Frenchman Francis Mourey.

Stybar rode a strong race, occasionally riding up dunes where others were forced to dismount and run. "Unbelievable. I don't have any words for this. I can't believe I've won three races in a row," Stybar said after his win.

The young Czech, who doesn't consider himself to be a sand specialist, finished third in the same race last year and this year defied even his own expectations to win the most important sand race of the season.

"It's not only about the sand in this race. This year it was a little bit easier because it was wet, but form is also an important factor here," said Stybar after proving himself one of the only riders able to ride up certain dunes.

Entering the last sections of the race Stybar sneaked past Nys and into the lead. "Riding in front over there was crucial because last year Nys attacked on that last dune and rode completely to the top where others had to run," Stybar said. "Winning here is very important because it's like breaking through a barrier."

"Of course it's important to race and win in Koksijde. Now I don't have to be afraid of my rivals on these courses," said Stybar, who concluded that if he can win in the sand he can win anywhere.

Gracious in defeat, runner-up Nys congratulated Stybar on his victory. "I had good sensations today and I'm happy about my race. I came in the lead at the right moment during the lap and I wanted to attack on the next dune, but then Stybar passed me; top class from him. The top riders are so close to one another these days, but Stybar's the fastest and he's a deserved winner," Nys said.

Stybar steps up the standings

Niels Albert remains in the lead of the World Cup standings after four rounds, but the World Champion's lead has been narrowed to 15 points over the in-form Stybar.

While the Belgian and Czech rider have forged their positions through World Cup race wins, Francis Mourey has proven that consistency is worth almost as much. The French champion has finished fifth in all four rounds of the World Cup this season, a record that puts him in third overall at 80 points from Albert.

Struck by an apparent mid-season slump, Albert told Cyclingnews his morale has dipped after a dominant start to the season.

"My form is low right now and things are not going my way anymore. Halfway the race I received a gap but I was unable to develop it and keep the others at distance. In reality, I blew up my engine there and I had nothing left for the sprint. Hopefully my form will get better soon," said Albert before heading to the doping control.

One rider who was paying particular attention to the anti-doping controls at the race was the USA's Jonathan Page. The American missed a control at the same race last season after pulling out half-way through the event. He was later cleared of any wrongdoing by the USADA, but the incident has clearly left its mark on Page. This year, Page was trying to find the list of riders who were to face controls, but was unable to locate the UCI's anti-doping controllers.

"One year it's like this, and then the next it's done in another way. This is how things go wrong," said Page.

Page's frustration was not helped by a 27th place finish. "When is luck going to turn my way? I had two flat tyres today. I tried to stay cool after puncturing and pick it up later [Page rode the second fastest time on lap six – ed.] but it wasn't to be," Page said.

Belgian star Bart Wellens returned to racing in Koksijde and in spite of a back row starting position he finished in a solid thirteenth spot. The riders will return to World Cup action next week in Igorre, Spain for the final round of the series.

 

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Results
1Zdenek Štybar (Cze) Telenet Fidea Cycling Team1:04:23
2Sven Nys (Bel) Landbouwkrediet-ColnagoRow 1 - Cell 2
3Klaas Vantornout (Bel) Sunweb-Projob0:00:01
4Niels Albert (Bel) BKCP - PowerplusRow 3 - Cell 2
5Francis Mourey (Fra) Française des Jeux0:00:03
6Bart Aernouts (Bel) Rabobank0:00:12
7Gerben de Knegt (Ned) Rabobank0:00:18
8Erwin Vervecken (Bel)0:00:47
9Sven Vanthourenhout (Bel) Sunweb-Projob0:01:11
10Kevin Pauwels (Bel) Telenet Fidea Cycling Team0:01:28
11Radomír Šimunek Ml (Cze) BKCP - Power Plus0:01:38
12Steve Chainel (Fra) Bouygues Telecom0:01:47
13Bart Wellens (Bel) Telenet Fidea Cycling Team0:01:48
14Dieter Vanthourenhout (Bel) BKCP - Powerplus0:01:51
15Enrico Franzoi (Ita) LiquigasRow 14 - Cell 2
16John Gadret (Fra) AG2R LA MONDIALE0:02:00
17Christian Heule (Swi) RendementhypoCycling Team0:02:07
18Petr Dlask (Cze) Telenet Fidea Cycling Team0:02:09
19Martin Zlámalík (Cze) Prodoli Racing Team0:02:13
20Marco Bianco (Ita) L Arcobaleno Carraro Team0:02:33
21Wilant van Gils (Ned) Pro Cycling Team ZZPR.nl-Destil-MeridaRow 20 - Cell 2
22Thijs Al (Ned) AA Drink - BeOne0:02:48
23Mariusz Gil (Pol) LKS Pom Strzelce Krajenskie0:03:05
24Thijs Van Amerongen (Ned) Vacansoleil0:03:17
25Marcel Wildhaber (Swi) Scott-Swisspower Mountainbike-Team0:03:23
26Martin Bína (Cze) Cyklo Team Budvar Tábor0:03:25
27Jonathan Page (USA) Planet Bike0:03:57
28Kamil Ausbuher (Cze) Exe Jeans0:04:14
29Patrick Van Leeuwen (Ned) Het Snelle Wiel0:04:17
30Fabio Ursi (Ita) Centro Sportivo Esercito0:04:19
31Nicolas Bazin (Fra) Differdange0:04:46
32Jérôme Chevallier (Fra) AC Besançon0:05:04
33Johannes Sickmüller (Ger) Stevens Cyclocross Team Hamburg0:05:21
34Ian Field (GBr) Hargroves Cycles/Trant/Next/GSI0:05:28
35Vladimír Kyzivát (Cze) Johnson Controls AS MB0:05:47
36Eddy van IJzendoorn (Ned) AA Drink - BeOne0:05:57
37Christoph Pfingsten (Ger) KED Bianchi Berlin0:05:58
38Alessandro Gambino (Ita) Centro Sportivo Esercito0:06:02
39Vaclav Metlicka (Svk) Team Král0:06:13
40Jody Crawforth (GBr) Arctic - Premier RT0:06:51
41Luca Damiani (Ita) Colavita Sutter Home-1 lap
42Ivar Hartogs (Ned) ZZPR.nl-Destil-MeridaRow 41 - Cell 2
43Milan Barenyi (Svk)Row 42 - Cell 2
44Tommy Nielsen (Den)Row 43 - Cell 2
45Jonathan Lopez (Fra) VC La Pomme MarseilleRow 44 - Cell 2
46Joachim Parbo (Den) CCV Cyclo crosss Team-2 laps
47Robert Glajza (Svk)Row 46 - Cell 2
48Sascha Wagner (Ger) Stevens Cyclocross Team HamburgRow 47 - Cell 2
49Gusty Bausch (Lux) LC KaylRow 48 - Cell 2
50Martin Haring (Svk)-3 laps
51Mike Garrigan (Can)-4 laps
52Ariunbold Naranbat (Mgl)-6 laps
53Boldbaatar Bold-Erdene (Mgl)Row 52 - Cell 2
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World Cup standings after 4 rounds
1Niels Albert (Bel) BKCP - Powerplus300pts
2Zdenek Štybar (Cze) Telenet Fidea Cycling Team285Row 1 - Cell 3
3Francis Mourey (Fra) Française des Jeux220Row 2 - Cell 3
4Klaas Vantornout (Bel) Sunweb-Projob219Row 3 - Cell 3
5Sven Nys (Bel) Landbouwkrediet-Colnago205Row 4 - Cell 3
6Kevin Pauwels (Bel) Telenet Fidea Cycling Team198Row 5 - Cell 3
7Gerben de Knegt (Ned) Rabobank180Row 6 - Cell 3
8Christian Heule (Swi) RendementhypoCycling Team172Row 7 - Cell 3
9Enrico Franzoi (Ita) Liquigas164Row 8 - Cell 3
10Bart Aernouts (Bel) Rabobank163Row 9 - Cell 3
11Martin Zlámalík (Cze) Prodoli Racing Team152Row 10 - Cell 3
12Erwin Vervecken (Bel) Baboco Revor150Row 11 - Cell 3
13Petr Dlask (Cze) Telenet Fidea Cycling Team142Row 12 - Cell 3
14Radomír Šimunek Ml (Cze) BKCP - Power Plus132Row 13 - Cell 3
15Martin Bína (Cze) Cyklo Team Budvar Tábor129Row 14 - Cell 3
16Thijs Al (Ned) AA Drink - BeOne129Row 15 - Cell 3
17Dieter Vanthourenhout (Bel) BKCP - Powerplus125Row 16 - Cell 3
18Mariusz Gil (Pol) LKS Pom Strzelce Krajenskie121Row 17 - Cell 3
19Steve Chainel (Fra) Bouygues Telecom119Row 18 - Cell 3
20Thijs Van Amerongen (Ned) Van Vliet EBH Elshof115Row 19 - Cell 3
21Kamil Ausbuher (Cze) Exe Jeans107Row 20 - Cell 3
22Jan Verstraeten (Bel) KDL Trans NV97Row 21 - Cell 3
23Marco Bianco (Ita) L Arcobaleno Carraro Team97Row 22 - Cell 3
24Laurent Colombatto (Fra) AC Besançon89Row 23 - Cell 3
25Eddy van IJzendoorn (Ned) AA Drink - BeOne88Row 24 - Cell 3
26Sven Vanthourenhout (Bel) Sunweb-Projob79Row 25 - Cell 3
27Patrick Van Leeuwen (Ned) Het Snelle Wiel79Row 26 - Cell 3
28Alessandro Gambino (Ita) Centro Sportivo Esercito75Row 27 - Cell 3
29Wilant van Gils (Ned) Pro Cycling Team ZZPR.nl-Destil-Merida74Row 28 - Cell 3
30Jonathan Page (USA) Planet Bike73Row 29 - Cell 3
31Jonathan Lopez (Fra) VC La Pomme Marseille71Row 30 - Cell 3
32Fabio Ursi (Ita) Centro Sportivo Esercito65Row 31 - Cell 3
33Marcel Wildhaber (Swi) Scott-Swisspower Mountainbike-Team64Row 32 - Cell 3
34Ondrej Bambula (Cze) Cyklo Team Budvar Tábor60Row 33 - Cell 3
35Rob Peeters (Bel) Landbouwkrediet-Colnago59Row 34 - Cell 3
36Ian Field (GBr) Hargroves Cycles/Trant/Next/GSI59Row 35 - Cell 3
37Jérôme Chevallier (Fra) AC Besançon58Row 36 - Cell 3
38Milan Barenyi (Svk)48Row 37 - Cell 3
39Johannes Sickmüller (Ger) Stevens Cyclocross Team Hamburg48Row 38 - Cell 3
40Christoph Pfingsten (Ger) KED Bianchi Berlin47Row 39 - Cell 3
41Pawel Szczepaniak (Pol) LKS Pom Strzelce Krajenskie41Row 40 - Cell 3
42Ivar Hartogs (Ned) ZZPR.nl-Destil-Merida41Row 41 - Cell 3
43Bart Wellens (Bel) Telenet Fidea Cycling Team38Row 42 - Cell 3
44David Derepas (Fra) UVCA Troyes37Row 43 - Cell 3
45Luca Damiani (Ita) Colavita Sutter Home37Row 44 - Cell 3
46Vaclav Metlicka (Svk) Team Král37Row 45 - Cell 3
47John Gadret (Fra) AG2R LA MONDIALE35Row 46 - Cell 3
48Robert Gavenda (Svk) Telenet Fidea Cycling Team35Row 47 - Cell 3
49Philipp Walsleben (Ger) Team BKCP-Power Plus32Row 48 - Cell 3
50Lukáš Kloucek (Cze) Sunweb - Projob Cycling Team30Row 49 - Cell 3
51Egoitz Murgoitio Rekalde (Spa)28Row 50 - Cell 3
52Sascha Wagner (Ger) Stevens Cyclocross Team Hamburg26Row 51 - Cell 3
53Roy Van Heeswijk (Ned) Sint Oedenrode25Row 52 - Cell 3
54Javier Ruiz De Larrinaga Ibanez (Spa)22Row 53 - Cell 3
55Marco Ponta (Ita)21Row 54 - Cell 3
56Nicolas Bazin (Fra) Us Domont Cyclisme20Row 55 - Cell 3
57Jan Soetens (Bel) Revor-Jartazi Continental Team20Row 56 - Cell 3
58Martin Haring (Svk)17Row 57 - Cell 3
59Robert Glajza (Svk)17Row 58 - Cell 3
60Vladimír Kyzivát (Cze) Johnson Controls AS MB16Row 59 - Cell 3
61Zdenek Mlynár (Cze) Max Cursor13Row 60 - Cell 3
62Jody Crawforth (GBr) Arctic - Premier RT11Row 61 - Cell 3
63Julien Pion (Fra) Charvieu Chavagneux IC10Row 62 - Cell 3
64Jens Westergren (Swe)10Row 63 - Cell 3
65Clément Bourgoin (Fra) VC Rhodanien9Row 64 - Cell 3
66Tommy Nielsen (Den)7Row 65 - Cell 3
67René Lang (Swi) Delta Elite Team/VC Bützberg6Row 66 - Cell 3
68Joachim Parbo (Den) CCV Cyclo crosss Team5Row 67 - Cell 3
69Peter Presslauer (Aut) Team Volksbank4Row 68 - Cell 3
70Marek Canecky (Svk)3Row 69 - Cell 3
71Andreas Moser (Swi) Bürgis Cycling Team3Row 70 - Cell 3
72Gusty Bausch (Lux) LC Kayl2Row 71 - Cell 3
73Zoltan Tisza (Hun)2Row 72 - Cell 3
74Sascha Weber (Ger) FC Rheinland-Pfalz Flonheim1Row 73 - Cell 3
75Rafael Visinelli (Ita) Gruppo Sportivo Forestale1Row 74 - Cell 3

 

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