"He’s incredibly quick up the Mur de Huy" - Sven Nys says son Thibau Nys is 'capable of something special' at La Fleche Wallonne 2025

As the Ardennes Classics continues later this afternoon at La Fleche Wallonne 2025, can Lidl-Trek back up Mattias Skjelmose's stunning Amstel Gold Race win with some more success? Well according to Belgian icon Sven Nys, rather than Skjelmose, his own son Thibau Nys could be the team's best best for more glory.

Nys has already come on leaps and bounds over the last couple of years. Last Sunday at the Amstel Gold Race, the 22-year-old Belgian finished 12th, but he has already added a win to his palmares in 2025, taking the victory on his season opener at the GP Miguel Indurain. Competing for victory against the likes of Tadej Pogacar and Remco Evenepoel would certainly be another step in the right direction.

“It’s hard for me to judge,” says father Sven in a pre-La Fleche Wallonne conversation with Belgian broadcaster Sporza. “Everything’s a first for him. At the Amstel Gold Race, I saw that his form was there and that he’s made progress. But whether he’s ready to go toe-to-toe with the very best in the world? I honestly don’t know.”

On thing Sven Nys does know for certain however, is that on the Mur de Huy, his son is more than capable of matching the very best in the world. “I know he’s incredibly quick up the Mur de Huy,” he insists with a knowing laugh.

The problem could be arriving at the climb well positioned at the front of the race and in touch with the aforementioned Evenepoel and Pogacar. “Thinking he can control the race already might be a stretch,” admits Nys senior. “Obviously, the other riders know they need to lift the pace early to wear him out. Because if he reaches the base of the Mur fresh, that’s when the problems start. The numbers don’t lie. He’s got the talent and the punch to do something special there. But it’s a long race before that moment comes. So the real question is: will he still have that little bit extra left when it counts?”