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Cyclo-Cross Worlds: Zdeněk Štybar wins back rainbow jersey after battle with Sven NysUCI logo on white

Cyclo-Cross Worlds: Zdeněk Štybar wins back rainbow jersey after battle with Sven Nys

Czech rider who is now focused on road career secures his third world title in the Netherlands
by Simon_MacMichael
Sun, Feb 02, 2014 15:25
6

Zdeněk Štybar of the Czech Republic has regained the world cyclo-cross title he previously won in 2010 and 2011 after a pulsating battle with defending champion Sven Nys of Belgium this afternoon in Hoogerheide in the Netherlands.

Štybar got clear of Nys after he capitalised on a mistake on the Belgian halfway through the final lap, riding strongly to the finish to cross the line 12 seconds ahead of him.

Initially, local hope Lars van der Haar was with them as they got away after the start, but a series of errors caused his challenge to fade.

Belgium’s Kevin Pauwels took the bronze medal, finishing 40 seconds behind the winner.

Štybar only decided to race the worlds late on.

The 28-year-old is now focused on the road with Omega Pharma-Quick Step, and last season won the Eneco Tour and a Vuelta stage, and finished sixth at Paris-Roubaix.

His priorities at the Belgian team means the rainbow jersey will be missing from many of the biggest races in cyclo-cross over the next 12 months, however.

More to follow

Zdenek Stybar
Sven Nys
CX Worlds
Simon MacMichael

Simon joined road.cc as news editor in 2009 and is now the site’s community editor, acting as a link between the team producing the content and our readers. A law and languages graduate, published translator and former retail analyst, he has reported on issues as diverse as cycling-related court cases, anti-doping investigations, the latest developments in the bike industry and the sport’s biggest races. Now back in London full-time after 15 years living in Oxford and Cambridge, he loves cycling along the Thames but misses having his former riding buddy, Elodie the miniature schnauzer, in the basket in front of him.

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6 comments

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jason.timothy.jones | 10 years ago
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I sat and watched a good part of the mens race yesterday. It was pretty much the first time I have watched CX apart from highlights, and I am hooked, much better than watching road racing.

I think its like test cricket to a ODI or 20/20

If the powers that be do some good marketing and get this on the free to air TV it may be a good way to promote cycling as a sport to the masses

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joemmo | 10 years ago
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What an utterly ridiculous sport. Ace.

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Simon E | 10 years ago
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Men's race highlights:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vigZ1zsl59s

Women's race:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4apa7FDCsco

Both are about 9 mins long.

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monty dog | 10 years ago
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1 slip by Nys on the last lap deciding the result - Stybar and Nys showed that their skill and strength were well ahead of everyone else.

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Al__S replied to monty dog | 10 years ago
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monty dog wrote:

1 slip by Nys on the last lap deciding the result - Stybar and Nys showed that their skill and strength were well ahead of everyone else.

the slip by Nys though merely cancelled out Stybar's earlier slip.

It was a superb race, a great duel for glory. I did watch the ladies, but sadly Vos being so far ahead of the competition made it a bit dull.

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Gkam84 | 10 years ago
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Great racing, I guess it must have been televised in my countries around the world, the youtube page got to around 30k people, which I thought was quite low, the womens was around 12k 17

It is not good for CX that the jersey now goes out of the sport, but I guess it would be the same with a rider winning then retiring. Vos will also be missing from a number of races I would think aswell.

I think he should get to wear it in the Paris-Roubaix, its nearly a CX race.

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