Zdeněk Štybar: On a decade at Deceuinck-Quick Step

Zdeněk Štybar: On a decade at Deceuinck-Quick Step

 

Zdeněk Štybar is closing in on his tenth season at Patrick Lefevere’s team. Far from slowing down, the Czech rider is arguably riding better than ever, and still has an eye on that one elusive big win

Deceuninck - Quick Step Racing Zdenek Stybar

Making the switch to the road was a big step. I said to myself: if I succeed, I will just continue and if not, I’ll return stronger to cyclo-cross. A win-win situation.


But in the first race, Dunkirk, I was straight away quite okay. Then my first spring Classics started and I fell in love with them. You don’t know what you’re doing there, what’s happening, they are so complicated. Then of course, you want another year. Then a third year because it’s basically just five races a season where you have a chance to succeed. I continued and still believed I could win a Monument like Flanders or Roubaix.


When we sit at the table, we fit together as friends and because the team wins so much, you somehow have the feeling – okay next time, it’s my turn. When I help someone, I’ll get it in return.

Zdenek Stybar
Zdeněk Štybar celebrates with team-mate Philippe Gilbert, after the Belgian wins Paris-Roubaix in 2019

Like how we won Sanremo [last] year: it’s not easy to manage because I’m sure that half of the team starting there was dreaming about winning. But everybody was ready to make the race hard on the Poggio, we had the plan and we stuck to it. Afterwards, when it works out, it’s a feeling like you won the race yourself.


The most special moment with the team is the 2017 Tour of Flanders, Tom Boonen’s last one. In the centre of Antwerp, everybody was waving white napkins and a typical Belgian song was playing. That was the year that Phil [Gilbert] won.


Read: Mikkel Honoré, Deceuinck-Quick Step’s philosopher-in-chief


I re-signed for two more years recently, so it’ll be ten years in the team. I’m sure I feel fresher at 33 than other pros at the same age; with cyclo-cross, my career approach was a bit different. I still have so many goals and I believe that I can achieve them. And I think I can race until I am 40.


Will it be with Deceuninck-Quick Step? The only difficulty will be that Patrick Lefevere has his rule that when a rider turns 36, he doesn’t sign him for longer than a year.


This is an extract from an article that originally published in Rouleur 19.8, with the headline “One Team Men”.

 
 

The post Zdeněk Štybar: On a decade at Deceuinck-Quick Step appeared first on The world's finest cycling magazine.

Deceuninck - Quick Step Racing Zdenek Stybar

READ MORE

‘No-one else is helping you find a job’: The cycling champions still without a contract for 2025

‘No-one else is helping you find a job’: The cycling champions still without a contract for 2025

There is an estimated 100 WorldTour riders still without a confirmed contract for next season

Leggi di più
Let the transfers begin: The biggest movers and shakers for the 2025 season

Let the transfers begin: The biggest movers and shakers for the 2025 season

With the transfer window officially open as of August 1, we look at some of the most intriguing moves in the men’s and women’s WorldTour...

Leggi di più
Il Lombardia 2024: Route, prediction and contenders

Il Lombardia 2024: Route, prediction and contenders

Can anyone stop Tadej Pogačar taking a fourth consecutive win in the race of the falling leaves?

Leggi di più
Opinion: What is the point in the Gravel World Championships?

Opinion: What is the point in the Gravel World Championships?

Both the men’s and women’s races were won by seasoned road professionals who will barely compete in the rainbow stripes next year

Leggi di più
'There’s almost no team tactics': Van der Poel overpowers the field in show of strength at Gravel World Championships

'There’s almost no team tactics': Van der Poel overpowers the field in show of strength at Gravel World Championships

The Dutchman adds to his collection of rainbow jerseys with a dominant display in Belgium

Leggi di più
A showdown the UCI would have longed for - Vos and Kopecky face-off lights up the Gravel World Championships

A showdown the UCI would have longed for - Vos and Kopecky face-off lights up the Gravel World Championships

Lotte Kopecky impressed in her first-ever gravel race, but in the end there stood the familiar sight of Marianne Vos in the rainbow bands

Leggi di più

MEMBERSHIP

JOIN ROULEUR TODAY

Independent journalism, award winning content, exclusive perks.

Banner Image