World cyclocross champion steadily recovering with important GvA and Superprestige rounds looming
World cyclocross champion Zdenek Stybar (Telenet-Fidea) has returned to training after taking some time out this week with a knee problem he picked up after a crash in training. He experienced considerable pain in last weekend’s Hamme-Zogge round of the Superprestige, meaning that he was unable to compete for the victory; he could only manage sixth place, losing his overall lead in the competition to race winner Sven Nys (Landbouwkrediet).
“Starting my training,” he posted on Twitter this morning. “I'm curious how it'll work today.”
Having successfully completed today’s training session the 24-year-old was optimistic about his recovery, but conceded that he was not completely recovered.
“I can’t say that the pain has gone, or that there is too much discomfort,” the Czech rider told Sporza, “it’s somewhere in between; it’s getting better.
“I’m going for exercises at the the physioherapist every day, that helps immensely,” he added.
With a round of each of the Gazet van Antwerpen (GvA) Trofee and Supersprestige series this weekend, Stybar knows that failure to recover sufficiently could cost him any chance of taking either competition at the end of the season.
Before his knee pain struck Stybar could only manage fourth in the Koppenbergcross, the latest round of the GvA Trofee, on November 1st. The race was won by Nys, but the World champion’s lead in the competition is more threatened by teammate Kevin Pauwels and Klaas Vantournout (Sunweb-Revor), who both now trail by just 5 points; Saturday’s race in Hasselt could see either, or both, rider move ahead.
After his victory in Hamme-Zogge Nys now leads Stybar by a single point in the Superprestige series; Sunday’s race in Asper-Gavere could see the legendary Belgian champion extend his lead if the zech is not fully fit.
As well as visits to the physiotherapist Stybar has some treatments to administer himself to facilitate the healing process, and he hopes to be competitive by he time the weekend comes around. “After each workout I also cool the heated tendons with ice, which promotes healing,” he explained. “I hope to be there at the weekend in Hasselt and Gavere.”