"If you are not 100% ready for that, you have no business being there" - Thibau Nys' Vuelta a Espana participation decision set to be made this weekend
CyclingWednesday, 12 August 2026 at 21:30
It's been a season to forget for Thibau Nys. The 23-year-old Lidl-Trek rider has only raced seven days after undergoing surgery earlier in spring before an infection once again took him off the saddle.
The Belgian rider underwent surgery in March for prepatellar friction syndrome - known as 'cyclist's knee - as well as a long rehabilitation to return to action in June - competing in the Tour de Suisse, GP Gippingen and the Belgian National Championships.
With Clasica San Sebastian and the Vuelta a Espana in full view, Nys had been struck by an infection called toxoplasmosis. An infectious disease that is caught by eating raw meat or unwashed vegetables, it causes a mild fever and fatigue.
After a round of anti-biotics and a period of rest, Nys is on the mend and still targeting the Spanish Grand Tour. He's back training fully and his condition is improving.
Tough period for Nys
“Thibau is doing better now, but it has been tough. Mentally as well,” his father, Sven Nys, told Sporza.
“He is training more than 24 hours a week again and his values are good. I would say there is a 90% chance that Thibau will ride the Vuelta."
For Nys, arriving at the Vuelta under-cooked is not on the agenda. Describing the chances of a Vuelta start, Nys senior claims that a decision will be made before the weekend is out.
Thibau Nys
Vuelta kicks off on August 22nd in Monaco
Time is ticking before the August 22nd start in Monaco, with the Vuelta set to feature a brutal parcours in 2026, the Lidl-Trek all-rounder will need to be in top shape.
“The Vuelta is three weeks of performing at a high level. If you are not 100% ready for that, you have no business being there,” he said. “We will make the decision on Friday or Saturday.”
As far as a preparation race goes, the Renewi Tour of Tour of Germany are also possibilities as he prepares to ride his second career Grand Tour.
He added: “Maybe the Renewi Tour or the Tour of Germany. Thibau's hunger for racing is great.”
Gavin QuinnCycling Journalist
Gavin Quinn is a cycling journalist and ultra-distance cyclist with a BA in Journalism from Dublin City University. Formerly the Press & Communications Officer for Cycling Ireland, Gavin has worked inside the national team at the World Championships and has reported for the Irish Mirror, Mirror UK, and The42.
His expertise is backed by elite-level access, having interviewed stars like Sam Bennett and Ben Healy, as well as immense personal endurance. In 2025, he completed a 12,000km solo cycle from Ireland to Vietnam, following a 4,600km tour across Europe. From the cobbles of Paris-Roubaix to the gradients of the Tourmalet, Gavin’s writing focuses on the "romance and brutality" of the sport. Having visited 50+ countries, he brings a global, cultural perspective to his coverage of the pro peloton for CyclingUpToDate.
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- Terrible article. The only news is that he's racing in Hamburg and nothing else
Rafionain-Glas12-08-2026 - It's hard not to admire Thibau Nys. Hope he gets back to his top levelRafionain-Glas12-08-2026
- Pogi is a cycling superstar, an extremely famous talented cyclist, but yet a normal down to earth person. He's so normal because he's from Slovenia, a former almost Balkan country, where most people are down to earth and normal. Unlike you Americans.PogiSloFans12-08-2026
- if you believe what landis says about doping, what he saw, what was said, etc., then HE says that he had open conversations about doping with pereiro during that tour, including oscar telling him straight out that he had one more transfusion to do.OCexile12-08-2026
- Unfortunately Rasmussen is right, we saw that last year. Also seems like Jonas is declining more than this year too. Its not looking that great for Jonas I think going forward especially with his wife saying stuff betwen the lines one get the impression jonas not that into cycling anymore as he needed :/miguel12-08-2026
- Couldn’t agree more. I’ve been a cycling fan close to half my life, and for the first time this year, the men’s TdF bored me to the point of forgetting to tune in. As for the women’s TDF, I was glued. Thank you Demi, Kasia, Marlen, and the rest.anonymouscyclist12-08-2026
- Please tell your friend it is a stupid question.mobk12-08-2026
- The 2006 TDF that Pereiro won after Landis was disqualified was a very memorable tour. On stage 17 Landis was off on his own out front constantly pouring bottles of water over himself to keep him cool as he ploughed on. Watching it we knew he was doping. At the end of the stage you could see he was as high as a kite. He got of the bike and coasted along on one pedal like a postman delivering the mail. Crazy times! knowing what was going on back then, I don't know if Pereiro was doped? According to this article he wasn't. That's hard to believe and unfortunately that's the cross he has to bear.Cyclingsbestfan12-08-2026
- "I don't think it's too controversial to say that the women's Tour is much better view than the men's." ... WHY???: 1) Because Demi Vollering is Dutch? 2) Because Jonas is a Dane, but keeps constantly losing to Pogi, a Slovenian? 3) Because Pogi is beating everyone with his "left foot"? 4)Because you can't handle the losses anymore? Just asking...for a friend.PogiSloFans12-08-2026
- "Pogacar will do what he wants" ... That's right... and there is noting anyone can do about it !!!PogiSloFans12-08-2026
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