Zdeněk Štybar Brings Curtain Down on Illustrious Career at UCI Cyclocross World Championships in Tábor
In an emotional farewell, cyclocross legend Zdeněk Štybar bid adieu to elite competition at the UCI Cyclocross World Championships on home soil in Tábor, Czech Republic, on Sunday. The Czech rider, known for his dominance in the sport, ended his nearly two-decade-long career surrounded by family, friends, and fans who gathered to witness his final race.
Štybar confessed to shedding tears during the last lap of the elite men’s event, taking in the electric atmosphere and soaking up the applause from the crowds that lined the circuit. As he crossed the finish line in 31st place, 7:02 behind winner Mathieu van der Poel (Netherlands), he shared a poignant moment with his wife and son.
“A lot of emotions,” Štybar said in a post-race interview with HLN. “This was a very special week. Even after Christmas, let’s just say this was a farewell tour.”
The Czech rider admitted to crashing on the last lap, which allowed him to savor the atmosphere and bask in the adoration of the spectators.
Štybar’s decision to retire in Tábor held immense significance, as it was the same venue where he clinched the cyclocross world title in 2010. He went on to win additional world titles in Sankt-Wendel in 2011 and Hoogerheide in 2014.
“I couldn’t have asked for a better farewell,” Štybar beamed. “My career started and now ends here, with a huge number of people. I have a headache from all the shouting and from all the fans in the stands. That was incredible.”
Throughout his illustrious career, Štybar demonstrated his versatility by exceling in various disciplines, including:
- Road racing’s Grand Tours, where he claimed stages at the Tour de France and the Vuelta a España
- One-day races
- Spring Classics like Strade Bianche and Omloop Het Nieuwsblad
“Maybe I could have raced for one more year, but I couldn’t imagine a better ending than today,” Štybar told Sporza, acknowledging the culmination of his career.
During the elite men’s race, event organizers paid tribute to Štybar’s achievements, inviting him to take the microphone and express his gratitude to his family, friends, and supporters. The crowd erupted in cheers as he led them in a chant, ‘Thank you, Štybar Team,’ with his family proudly standing by his side.
Štybar’s swan song in Tábor will be remembered as a fitting tribute to his remarkable career, marked by countless victories, including three cyclocross world championships, and a legacy that will continue to inspire future generations of cyclocross enthusiasts.
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