Image 1 of 20 Zdenek Stybar powered his Specialized S-Works CruX to battle Sven Nys for the victory at this year's cyclo-cross world championship (Image credit: www.brakethroughmedia.com) Image 2 of 20 A sign of how little time the Czech racer spends racing cyclo-cross these days: Stybar's bikes are equipped with 10-speed SRAM Red groups (Image credit: www.brakethroughmedia.com) Image 3 of 20 A 44cm wide Zipp Service Course SL handlebar mated to a 130mm stem allows the 183cm/6ft racer to ride a size 54cm frame (Image credit: www.brakethroughmedia.com) Image 4 of 20 Shimano M540 pedals may not as light as the XTR version, but many cyclo-cross racers choose them for their superior mud-shedding ability (Image credit: www.brakethroughmedia.com) Image 5 of 20 The Avid Shorty Ultimate can be set in the wide position for better mud clearance or narrow (as shown) for more power (Image credit: www.brakethroughmedia.com) Image 6 of 20 The Specialized S-Works Crux has excellent mud clearance (Image credit: www.brakethroughmedia.com) Image 7 of 20 While the front portion of Stybar's cockpit is alloy, the seatpost and seatpost rails are carbon (Image credit: www.brakethroughmedia.com) Image 8 of 20 Stybar rides a Specialized S-Works Toupe saddle (Image credit: www.brakethroughmedia.com) Image 9 of 20 Stybar's name graces all his Dugast-shod wheelsets (Image credit: www.brakethroughmedia.com) Image 10 of 20 Stybar chose to run Dugast Rhino treads on race day (Image credit: www.brakethroughmedia.com) Image 11 of 20 Introduced in 2012, the S-Worx CruX was designed with Stybar's input to be a 'Tarmac for the dirt' (Image credit: www.brakethroughmedia.com) Image 12 of 20 The wheelset was looking a bit worse for wear following the race (Image credit: www.brakethroughmedia.com) Image 13 of 20 The rear derailleur cable makes a clean exit through the drive-side seatstay (Image credit: www.brakethroughmedia.com) Image 14 of 20 10-speeds didn't seem to hamper the three-time cyclo-cross world champion's performance (Image credit: www.brakethroughmedia.com) Image 15 of 20 The Omega Pharma-QuickStep rider spins 172.5mm Specialized S-Works cranks with 46/38T chainrings (Image credit: www.brakethroughmedia.com) Image 16 of 20 Drivetrains take a beating in cyclo-cross. Many racers at Hoogerheide were swapping bikes every other lap (Image credit: www.brakethroughmedia.com) Image 17 of 20 The Specialized S-Work CruX frame features internal cable routing through the downtube for the front and rear derailleur (Image credit: www.brakethroughmedia.com) Image 18 of 20 The rear brake cable is routed through the top tube on the CruX (Image credit: www.brakethroughmedia.com) Image 19 of 20 Avid Shorty Ultimate brakes keep Stybar's speed in check (Image credit: www.brakethroughmedia.com) Image 20 of 20 Stybar races on Zipp 404 Firecrest tubular wheels (Image credit: www.brakethroughmedia.com)

This article originally published on BikeRadar

Though a skilled cyclo-cross racer with two world championship victories already to his name, Omega Pharma-QuickStep rider Zdenek Stybar was thought by many to be an unlikely contender for this year's UCI Cyclo-cross World Championships. He'd participated in only six cyclo-cross races this season, clustered tightly together in late December, prior to pinning on a number for the Worlds last Sunday in Hoogerheide, Netherlands. Due to a relative dearth of UCI points Stybar's start position, critical in 'cross racing, was three rows behind race favorites Sven Nys and Lars van der Haar.

But it appears the many miles Stybar's been logging in Mallorca, Spain, in preparation for the Spring Classics, are beginning to pay off. The 28-year-old Czech racer quickly powered from his third row start position to the head of affairs to battle Nys for victory aboard his Specialized S-Works CruX.

Not the latest for the greatest

Despite his victory on the rough and rutted Hoogerheide course, cyclo-cross is no longer Stybar's focus - a fact made evident by his 'cross bikes. While most of Stybar's competitors ride bikes outfitted with the latest 11-speed groups, older 10-speed SRAM Red kits are mounted to Stybar's S-Works Crux framesets.

Stybar's carbon S-Works CruX framesets are kitted out with nearly same components as when we last profiled his pink alloy CruX in 2012.

In addition to the 10-speed SRAM Red group, Stybar runs the very capable Avid Shorty Ultimate cantilever brakes set in the narrow position for increased stopping power. His cockpit consists of a Zipp Service Course handlebar and stem with a carbon Zipp Service Course SL Speed carbon seatpost with a Specialized S-Works Toupe saddle. Wheels are also provided by Zipp in the form of the 404 Firecrests. On race day Stybar opted to run Dugast Rhino treads front and rear.

Complete bike specifications

Frame: Specialized S-Works CruX, size 54cm

Fork: Specialized S-Works CruX

Stem: Zipp Service Course SL, 130mm

Handlebar: Zipp Service Course SL, 44cm

Bar tape: Specialized S-Wrap Roubaix

Front brake: Avid Shorty Ultimate, set narrow

Rear brake: Avid Shorty Ultimate, set narrow

Front derailleur: SRAM Red w/steel cage

Rear derailleur: SRAM Red 10-speed

Levers: SRAM Red 10-speed

Cassette: SRAM PG1070, 12-26T

Chain: SRAM PC1091

Crankset: Specialized S-Works (172.5mm), 46/38T

Bottom bracket: Ceramic Speed

Pedals: Shimano SPD M540

Wheelset: Zipp 404 Firecrest

Front tire: Dugast Rhino

Rear tire: Dugast Rhino

Saddle: Specialized S-Works Toupe (143 width)

Seatpost: Zipp SL Speed Carbon

Critical measurements

Rider's height: 183cm/6ft

Rider's weight: 71.5kg/157.6lb

Saddle height from BB, c-t: 770mm

Seat tube length, c-c: 510mm

Tip of saddle to center of bar: 560mm

Head tube length: 140mm

Top tube length (virtual): 549mm

Total bicycle weight: 8.2kg/18.1lb with race-winning mud