At the weekend, former World Cyclocross Champion Zdenek Stybar confirmed that he would be taking part in a handful of cyclocross races over the winter and it seems that his appearance fee is the highest for any rider.
The former World Champion was speaking at the “Boonen and Friends” event. “I will decide this week which crosses I’m racing,” he said. “I won’t be taking part in five though. That doesn’t fit in with my preparation.”
For World Cup races, organisers don’t pay an appearance fee, but do so for other races. One consideration for race organisers is the potential number of supporters that a star rider might attract to the race.
One race organiser told Het Nieuwsblad that Stybar’s management team are setting a high value for their rider. “They ask for a lot of money, up to €10,000. Stybar charges more than Nys,” he said. “And unlike Nys, Stybar does not bring busloads of supporters along. His supporters are much smaller in numbers.”
“Two years ago we paid a tidy sum, but that was when he was still World Champion. Without the rainbow jersey, his market value is less,” said the organiser who wishes to remain anonymous.
