Thibau Nys passes new test with flying colors: "Perhaps my status in the peloton has changed a bit"

Both on and off the bike, Thibau Nys may be the revelation of this cycling season. Representing Lidl-Trek, the Belgian continues the momentum he started last year, while also being well-regarded by race organizers, journalists and other stakeholders thanks to his charisma and good interviews. In the Tour of Switzerland, he took another step forward, which he discussed with IDLProCycling.com.

Nys had a hard fall in a full sprint at the GP Gippingen the Friday before the start of the heavily contested WorldTour race. After using a prologue and a punch stage, which suited him well on paper, to recover, he made his move in an uphill sprint on day three. Clever, but wasn’t it mentally tough to focus on Rüschlikon after that disappointment in Regensdorf?

Not really, according to Nys, who had somewhat anticipated that off day. "Yes, it was tough. I knew the initial intensity after the fall in Gippingen could still cause pain, and my body was still having a hard time in that first stage. But on the other hand, I also knew that things could be different the next day. You shouldn’t dwell too much on what happened the day before," he states realistically.

Overall, this Tour of Switzerland was a race at a higher level. He had already ridden the Tour of Romandie and Renewi Tour at WorldTour level, but here he was amidst a peloton preparing for the Tour de France. "It’s a new step. I see it as a situation I haven’t been in much before, so that’s nice," he refers to working for a leader like Mattias Skjelmose. "I get just as much satisfaction from helping the team as from going for my own success. All in all, it’s just fun to be on the road with such a good, motivated team."

Continue reading below the photo.

Nys absorbs information from races with Skjelmose and Mollema like a sponge

Nys certainly enjoys racing alongside someone like Skjelmose, who ultimately finished third. "He’s one of the easiest leaders there is. You don’t have to worry about whether he’s on your wheel or not because he’s always there. He’s very dedicated to his craft." Additionally, he shared a room with Dutchman Bauke Mollema. "He’s someone with a lot of experience and a beautiful palmarès. If you can learn from riders like that, you’ll only perform better. Picking up little things from them is just fun."

Achieving immediate and continuous success in a race like Switzerland wasn’t something Nys expected. "I still surprise myself quite often," he admits. "It’s nice to keep getting that confirmation that you’re doing well and to raise the bar even higher." He also notices that the peloton now looks at him differently. "Maybe my status has changed a bit. They fight a bit more for my wheel than they used to, especially in finals like in Switzerland, Gippingen or Norway."

Nys is now focusing on the Belgian Championships in Zottegem next weekend, after which he will have a training period. He might go on a training camp in Spain with Pim Ronhaar, who will be an intern with Lidl-Trek starting August 1.