"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
Cycling
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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Rafionain-Glas01-11-2026 - Perhaps he has what Mark Cavendish had, the Epstein-Barr Virus. It caused him severe and unexplained chronic fatigue. I hope he gets better.
parisbound0001-11-2026 - How can medical staff act like that? pretty disgraceful! the guys down and they're near seeing him off ;/
leedorney01-11-2026
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