Zdenek Stybar has yet to lose a cross race in the 2010/11 season. He continued his winning ways at the World Cup Round two in Plzeň in the Czech Republic, ahead of Kevin Pauwels and Niels Albert. Francis Mourey was fourth and Sven Nys fifth.
Stybar continued his tactic of accelerating often enough to tire his competitors. He dropped Albert with four laps to go, with a surprise attack on the slightly uphill finishing straight. Pauwels hung on, but had no answer to the final acceleration of Stybar, a lap from the finish. He was two seconds behind across the line with one lap remaining, with Albert 14 seconds back. Pauwels was also unlucky to have a slow leak in his tire and was forced to change bikes one more time. Albert appeared to come closer, but Pauwels went away again, with new bike and new energy.
Stybar rode home with an advantage of 18 seconds over Pauwels on the mostly flat and non-technical course. Albert was 33 seconds back while Mourey and Nys came home more than forty seconds later.
There was no lack of motivation at home for the Czech rider. "The spectators were excellent," Stybar told Sporza after the race. "I want to thank everyone for making this a festival." He was all smiles when he stepped on the podium, unlike Pauwels, who looked quite frustrated. The Belgian did a superb race and left all his compatriots behind. Nys is still struggling to find his best form. He lost the sprint to Mourey for fourth place.
Stybar felt with his Pauwels. "It was a pity that teammate Pauwels had to let go due to the flat tire. But I could not wait and increased the gap," Stybar said.
German Philipp Walsleben, who dominated the U23 races two seasons ago, is on his way up, after learning the pro ropes last year. He finished seventh, just three seconds behind Klaas Vantornout. Italian Enrico Francoi rounded out the top ten.
Results World Cup round two:
1 Zdenek Stybar (Cze) in 1'h05'52
2. Kevin Pauwels (Bel) 0'18
3. Niels Albert (Bel) 0'33
4. Francis Mourey (Fra) 0'41
5. Sven Nys (Bel) 0'42
6. Klaas Vantornout (Bel) 1'07
7. Philipp Walsleben (Ger) 1'10
8. Bart Aernouts (Bel) 1'13
9. Dieter Vanthourenhout (Bel) 1'21
10. Enrico Franzoi (Ita) 1'29
World Cup standings after round two:
1. Zdenek Stybar (Cze) 160 points
2. Kevin Pauwels (Bel) 135
3. Niels Albert (Bel) 135
4. Francis Mourey (Fra) 110
5. Klaas Vantornout (Bel) 110
6. Sven Nys (Bel) 99
7. Dieter Vanthourenhout (Bel) 99
8. Bart Aernouts (Bel) 84
9. Philipp Walsleben (Ger) 84
10. Sven Vanthourenhout (Bel) 82