The Telenet-Fidea cyclocross team sent its riders to the Tour of the Czech Republic to continue to sharpen their fitness. Bart Wellens took fourth in the Overall GC of the recent stage race.
Kevin Pauwels rode to an impressive second place in the opening prologue time trial.
World cyclocross champion Zdenek Stybar also revealed that his form is coming around after time off the bike while recovering from a cyst removal. Stybar took second in a sprint finish on Stage 2, with Pauwels in fourth on the day. Stybar also finished fourth on the race’s final stage.
“Last week I participated in the Czech Tour road race, and I can say that I’m satisfied with my performance,” said Stybar on his Web site. “I mainly used the race for training, but I’m also happy that I was able to show something during the race.”
Stybar ended the stage race in 11th overall, with Pauwels 15th and Peter Dlask 16th.
Stybar hopes the build up in fitness will help his efforts in the Czech National Mountain Bike Championship, and he has even hinted at trying to qualify for the next Olympics.
