Why Nys is eagerly looking forward to the Flèche Wallonne: “Before I was even a junior, I dropped the pros on the Wall of Huy”

While his colleagues have long been focused on the new road season, fans of Thibau Nys can finally look forward to his return to racing. This season, a number of brilliant opportunities are lurking for the young Belgian. IDLProCycling.com attended a press moment with the flamboyant young talent.

After a nice break, Nys is finally turning his attention back to the road. “Things are going really well. I’ve been looking forward to this day for a long time. After the cyclo-cross season, I didn’t get much rest. I do feel like I’m going to need that build-up period now. It’s all going to happen very quickly. I was able to prepare well, but I also felt that I couldn’t afford to miss a single day. I’m in shape now, and I want to start racing.”

So what did that time after cyclo-cross racing look like for him? “I first trained at home for a week, and then I spent four weeks in Altea, Spain. I slept at altitude there and was able to tick off everything I had planned, step by step. I managed to do that perfectly. I did the training sessions I wanted to do, and I also built in the rest I needed to be fresh and ready for my racing block.”

A long preparation, all aimed at the Ardennes spring. There, he will make his debut in the big classics with full confidence. “I think I ticked all the boxes in Spain and also over the past few weeks at home to be ready. I’ve done a number of recon rides, Flèche Wallonne and Amstel, and I’ve also trained in the Ardennes to work on climbing.” In addition to those two races, Nys will also ride Liège–Bastogne–Liège.

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Thibau Nys won his first WorldTour race at the Tour of Romandie

Winning immediately on his return? “Last year I won on my second race day”

How fast after his return will Nys be able to achieve a win? “I’ve gotten a lot of positive signals in training, but that’s been the case before and then you still miss that race feeling,” he admits. “That intensity, that hardness... How do I feel in the peloton? It’s been a while. Last year, it went really well — back then I won on my second race day. I have no idea what to expect, but I’m happy with the shape I’ll have, and we’ll see what still needs adjusting heading into the classics.”

Two days after his first race of the road season, the GP Indurain, Nys will start the Tour of the Basque Country. With its short, steep climbs, there are plenty of chances for a stage win, but his priorities in that stage race lie elsewhere. “I want to try to compete there, for sure, but the main focus is really the preparation for the Ardennes classics. I’m convinced I need that intensity this week to take the final step.” Still, he has ambitions in northern Spain. “I’ll definitely pick a day to go for it, but aside from that it’s really about supporting the team, helping Mattias (Skjelmose, ed.) get the best GC result possible.”

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Nys ended his winter with a bronze medal at the World Cyclo-cross Championships

Big ambitions in the classics: “I want to make the step”

After an incredibly successful 2024 season, it’ll be tough to match that win tally. But the Lidl-Trek rider always has sky-high ambitions. “I want to make the step. Winning more races than last year seems nearly impossible because the level is so high. But if I get anywhere close to that, it means I’ve taken some really big wins, and then I’ll be happy. I’m not really focused on the number of victories this year.”

The level of competition will also be much higher. Three wins at the Tour of Poland is not the same as Liège–Bastogne–Liège or the Amstel Gold Race. “It’s also my first time riding a classic, so I don’t know what to expect, or whether I can expect a result at all. I know I’ve taken a physical step forward, and I hope that translates into good results. I’ve gotten stronger and now I want to show everything I did last year at a higher level.”

Of the three Ardennes classics, the Flèche Wallonne stands out as a special one for Nys. It’s the one he’s most looking forward to. “In my gut, yes. I think that probably says the most. It’s not that I’m only focused on that one or only thinking about it. But when I think about what’s coming up, Flèche Wallonne is the first thing that pops into my head. It’s nothing more than that, but it does say something that I have a small preference for it.”

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Nys already powered up La Redoute this spring

Afraid of Pogacar? "I’m baffled by what he can do"

The Wall of Huy has held a special place in his heart for a long time, as shown by a wonderful anecdote. “A few years ago, before I was even a junior, we went training with the cyclo-cross team (then Telenet-Fidea, ed.), and we rode toward the Wall of Huy. I still remember dropping guys like Lars van der Haar and Toon Aerts, and the other pros, on the Wall. Back then, I didn’t want to become a road rider at all, but I did think: if I ever wanted to win a road race, it would be this one. I don’t know if the Wall of Huy is my favorite climb, but maybe it’s the one that suits me best,” said Nys, who also scouted Côte de la Redoute this spring.

The goal in the Ardennes does mean the 22-year-old prodigy will face Tadej Pogacar. Is he scared of the confrontation or looking forward to it? “Both. I'm baffled by what he can do at times, and I hope I can limit the damage during the race,” he laughs honestly. “I’m not really focused on him: I mostly hope I can get to the start line in the best shape possible. That’s all you can do. If he’s better, then you have to accept that. It’s just really cool to be able to race against guys like him. It’s not like I race against them often — especially not Pogacar. I don’t think I’ve ever raced against him. I’m definitely looking forward to it, but I’m also realistic, of course.”

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Tadej Pogacar: rival or menace?

Hopes for the Tour? "Depends on how I perform"

Nys’ late season start means he’s skipping the Flemish spring races. Given his explosive qualities and his victory in the 2023 Koppenbergcross, there are definitely opportunities there for him. “That’s definitely something I quietly want to work toward in the coming years. But I think this is the perfect step to gradually ease into it, with the Amstel, Flèche, and Liège. I think that’s a nice lead-up to eventually move toward the Flemish races in the future.”

After the spring, things will wind down briefly before focus shifts to the next big goal. And that could very well be the Tour de France. “That really depends on how I perform in the coming races and how I respond to this type of competition. I think we’ve mapped out a perfect first block, and after that we’ll definitely schedule a small rebuild and taper toward whatever race I’ll do next. I think the team and I will sit down after this campaign and figure out what the best option is.”

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