World cyclo-cross champion Zden?k Štybar will be riding with team QUICK STEP until the end of the 2013 season. The deal was signed yesterday, January 24, 2011. Štybar will be battling to maintain his championship title next Sunday at St. Wendel in Germany, and he’ll be joining team QUICK STEP from 1st of March 2011.

Štybar will be making his debut in May in the Tour of California or the Tour of Belgium. The definitive schedule will be worked out in the next few weeks.

“Personally it’s a dream come true. I’m very happy and excited to race with team QUICK STEP, one of the best team in the world – explains Štybar – This is an important step in my professional life that will offer me many opportunities and open doors for me into the professional world. I’m still trying to absorb what’s happened. I’ve won a lot in cyclo-cross but I really wanted to try this experience. I’m 25 years old, and right now it’s time for me to try to understand what I can do on the road. This doesn’t mean I’ll be quitting cross. I love this sport and intend to keep at it. I’m also thrilled for the chance to defend my country’s colours in the MTB race in the 2012 London Olympics. I really would like to try this experience. As far as my schedule, I’m taking it one step at a time. I have to learn a lot, almost everything. This is why we’ve worked out a schedule that doesn’t keep me too busy to start with, that gives me time to grow slowly. At the moment, though, all my energy is concentrated on Sunday’s World Championships. I’m going to do my best to win it, for me and Telenet-Fidea team. I’ll never forget the time I spent with this squad. I started with them in 2005, right there in St. Wendel where I became Under 23 World Champion, and I’ll be ending my experience with them once again in that little German town. I’d love to leave this important prize as a gift to the team and to our sponsors. I’d like to thank everybody for the years we spent together, but I think it’s time for me to try my hand at road racing.”

Štybar then commented on the acquisition of team QUICK STEP by the Czech magnate Bakala. “For Czech Republic is a great thing, he’ll surely promote the movement in our country, too. I don’t know Mr. Bakala personally, but I can’t wait to meet him. It’s going to be really exciting.”

“Zdenek is a talented guy whose skills will surely raise the team’s technical level – said team manager Patrick Lefevere – it was our pleasure to accept his request to road race; he really wants this. At 25 he’s at a crucial stage of his sporting life. For our part we’re going to try to help him as best we can to approach this new world without burning any stages and without too much pressure, with a schedule that also takes into consideration a learning phase.”