"If Thibau survives on such a tough course, I assume that Wout will survive as well" - Belgian coach explains the likely non-selection of Thibau Nys for Zurich Worlds

The star of recent months, Thibau Nys has previously declared his no-plan to ride the World Championships in Zurich. According to the national coach Sven Vanthourenhout, such decision is only logical both; because of Nys' personal ambitions (in cyclocross) and the lack of experience in similar races.

"The door is not completely closed, but a selection will be difficult for Thibau," the national coach is clear at Het Laatste Nieuws. "I have already discussed that with him. Where should I put him in my selection? I already have Remco Evenepoel, Wout van Aert and Maxim Van Gils..."

"To play a role at the World Championships in Zurich, Thibau would have to try to survive in order to be able to ride a sprint. But if Thibau survives on such a tough course of 273 kilometers with 4,500 meters of elevation, I assume that Wout will survive as well. I would be surprised if Thibau climbs better than Wout on such a course."

"Thibau is a rider you only take with you as a leader. You can't ask him to ride at the front or to slip into a breakaway that tries to anticipate. You have to give him a pertinent place in the selection. Now he would take a place that I should actually keep free for riders who ride in the service of Remco, Wout and to a lesser extent Van Gils," Vanthourenhout believes.

The 21-year-old Nys has already booked nine victories on the road this season and is therefore profiling himself as a multiple winner. "But we must not forget that a World Championship is a race of 270 kilometers, and that Thibau has no experience with that yet," according to the national coach.

"It's amazing what Thibau is doing. He's already a good rider and will become an even better rider. But to be able to ride the final at the World Championship, you have to have proven that a few times in a Monument or classic with the same distance."