Zdeněk Štybar of the Czech Republic has regained the world cyclo-cross title he previously won in 2010 and 2011 after a pulsating battle with defending champion Sven Nys of Belgium this afternoon in Hoogerheide in the Netherlands.
Štybar got clear of Nys after he capitalised on a mistake on the Belgian halfway through the final lap, riding strongly to the finish to cross the line 12 seconds ahead of him.
Initially, local hope Lars van der Haar was with them as they got away after the start, but a series of errors caused his challenge to fade.
Belgium’s Kevin Pauwels took the bronze medal, finishing 40 seconds behind the winner.
Štybar only decided to race the worlds late on.
The 28-year-old is now focused on the road with Omega Pharma-Quick Step, and last season won the Eneco Tour and a Vuelta stage, and finished sixth at Paris-Roubaix.
His priorities at the Belgian team means the rainbow jersey will be missing from many of the biggest races in cyclo-cross over the next 12 months, however.
More to follow

6 thoughts on “Cyclo-Cross Worlds: Zdeněk Štybar wins back rainbow jersey after battle with Sven Nys”
Great racing, I guess it must
Great racing, I guess it must have been televised in my countries around the world, the youtube page got to around 30k people, which I thought was quite low, the womens was around 12k :S
It is not good for CX that the jersey now goes out of the sport, but I guess it would be the same with a rider winning then retiring. Vos will also be missing from a number of races I would think aswell.
I think he should get to wear it in the Paris-Roubaix, its nearly a CX race.
1 slip by Nys on the last lap
1 slip by Nys on the last lap deciding the result – Stybar and Nys showed that their skill and strength were well ahead of everyone else.
monty dog wrote:1 slip by Nys
the slip by Nys though merely cancelled out Stybar’s earlier slip.
It was a superb race, a great duel for glory. I did watch the ladies, but sadly Vos being so far ahead of the competition made it a bit dull.
Men’s race
Men’s race highlights:
Women’s race:
Both are about 9 mins long.
What an utterly ridiculous
What an utterly ridiculous sport. Ace.
I sat and watched a good part
I sat and watched a good part of the mens race yesterday. It was pretty much the first time I have watched CX apart from highlights, and I am hooked, much better than watching road racing.
I think its like test cricket to a ODI or 20/20
If the powers that be do some good marketing and get this on the free to air TV it may be a good way to promote cycling as a sport to the masses