“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?”