One of the most versatile riders of the peloton, the Czech further committed his future to the team he's been riding for since turning pro.
Zdenek Stybar will continue with Quick-Step Floors for at least two more years, after the Czech Champion, who's been part of the squad since 2011, has extended his agreement until the end of 2019. One of the best cyclo-cross riders of all time – the three gold medals he earned at the World Championships between 2010 and 2014 serving as testimony – the 31-year-old proved himself also on the road, where he bagged 14 triumphs.
Victorious in Tour de France and Vuelta a España stages, triumphant in a spectacular edition of Strade Bianche and the first Czech to come out on top in the BinckBank Tour general classification, Stybar's extraordinary versatility was there on display for everyone to see it, especially on the cobbles, where he has built a solid palmares over the years, twice coming very close to winning Paris-Roubaix – "The Queen of the Classics", in 2015 and 2017.
"To be honest, I can't believe I have been with the team since 2011, time surely flies when you are having a good time, but what an amazing journey it has been to race with this squad over the past years. Having extended my contract for two more seasons means we can continue the great work we started together in 2011, which I am very grateful and happy about", a thrilled Zdenek said. "I have enjoyed many beautiful moments and victories with these guys, and I owe a lot of people here big thanks, especially to the staff, which is the most dedicated and hardworking you will ever find."
In 2017, Zdenek's been again a key element of the Quick-Step Floors setup, his experience and class proving out to be an important factor in the team's success, be it in Spring Classics or Grand Tours. Next year, he's determined to play again a pivotal role in the squad, while at the same time showing himself in the big races: "This season, we have been once again one of the very best teams in the bunch by winning over and over again in so many different types of races, however, it has not been a personal best season for me. Patrick puts a lot of confidence in me by extending my contract, and I am just really motivated to give it back by turning things around and making the next two years extra rememberable."
Patrick Lefevere – Quick-Step Floors' CEO – talked of the team's decision to re-sign Stybar and the expectations he has from the Czech: "Everybody knows Zdenek's quality, he is a rider who can shine in almost any type of race. He's been part of this great family for seven years now and has achieved many very good results since shifting his attention from cyclo-cross to road cycling, but we still think he has a lot to show, especially in the Classics, and that's why we offered him a new deal, which we are glad he accepted."
Photo credit: ©Tim De Waele
