Wellens thinks Van der Poel is untouchable by Nys, but that Van Aert would struggle with compatriot

It's been a superb and unpredictable cyclo-cross winter so far. Several riders have already won prestigious races, and the season is full of surprises. There is essentially only one stable factor: Thibau Nys. In Belgium, they are working on balance in cyclo-cross amongst the big names. And actually, bold statements are made about this every week.

Just like now. Bart Wellens, former Belgian cyclist, commented in Het Nieuwsblad on the current season in the field. He was amazed at the similar level of the races. "I never thought Laurens Sweeck could win in Niel because the course was too tough for him. To then literally lead from start to finish surprised me. But when sand is on the course, you know Laurens Sweeck is among the favorites," he described the sand specialist's victory in Het Nieuwsblad.

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Wellens also reflected on Nys' victory last weekend. "I enjoyed the victory of Thibau Nys in Lokeren on Sunday. I'm not allowed to say it, but secretly, I'm a fan of Thibau and his way of racing. He attacked right away, but when he saw he wasn't getting away, he put himself in fifth position to observe and strike later. He is racing very sensibly, and I would like to see that," the analyst reveals.

Racing intelligently, securing victories... Well, you quickly climb up in the cyclo-cross world and are compared to the big two. "If Wout van Aert and Mathieu van der Poel later join them, I would like to see the spectacle. If Wout comes into the field at last winter's level, he will have a lot of trouble beating this Thibau Nys. Mathieu, that's another matter. If he is somewhat fit, he won't have much trouble with Thibau," he is clear about the difference between Nys and Van der Poel.