Nys delivers career-best performance and dominates Belgian championships: "I knew right away I was stronger"

Thibau Nys can now proudly claim the titles of both European and Belgian cyclo-cross champion. The race began rather cautiously, but Nys recovered from a shaky start and seized control in the penultimate lap thanks to a decisive attack.

"An incredible way to win my first title. It’s one of the best races I’ve ever ridden," said the Baloise Glowi Lions rider in a flash interview. Before the race, Nys wasn’t overly confident, though not for lack of self-belief.

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Nys had the perfect balance before the start

"I was just very realistic. I definitely had confidence in myself, but I knew it would be a race that came down to fitness, and then you just need to have the legs. Before the start, I definitely had my doubts, but I also had enough confidence to go full throttle. It was the perfect mix to start a championship, I think. Too much confidence wouldn’t work either," Nys explained.

And confidence is exactly what the 22-year-old had! "In the first lap, I already felt that my legs were good enough to move up to the front. If you understand the game a little bit, you don’t panic." Around the halfway point, Nys decided to test his legs. "I immediately noticed that I could get a gap without even pushing too hard. It was just a matter of waiting for the right moment to strike."

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Smart tactical move helps him secure the title

Nys carefully chose the perfect moment to attack. "I waited for a moment when the others were struggling a bit, and that’s when I decided to go. Looking back, it worked out perfectly that I caught up with Vanthourenhout," he said, referring to the attack prompted by Sweeck that forced them to chase. "That was when the riders at the front really started pushing the pace, so everyone was already on their limit by the time we reached the hardest section. That’s when I could do my thing, and I knew right away that I was stronger."

Despite this success, Nys admitted he had hoped for more wins this cyclo-cross season. "My season has been great, but when you win both the European and Belgian championships, of course you want more. I wouldn’t trade a win in Baal or Diegem for the Belgian title, but I just want more victories to give those championships and jerseys even more shine." For now, though, Nys plans to savor this incredible achievement — which he pulled off exactly 25 years after his father won his first Belgian title.

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