"It will be a very difficult task" - Sand could come in the way of Thibau Nys' European cyclocross title defense
Cycling
The Cyclocross European Championships will take place this weekend in Middelkerke, Belgium, and it will be a track that is somewhat different than the regular. In a sandy course, defending champion Thibau Nys certainly won't be the man to beat as was the case last year in Pontevedra. He discusses his chances ahead of the race.
"Technically, I wasn't 100 percent yet, but fitness-wise, I could make the difference. On the Koppenberg, I tried to ride up as quickly as possible every lap," Nys told In de Leiderstrui. "I'll have to train in the sand for a week now"
That should prove to be a challenge, and not one in his favour, as Nys admits: "My sand skills aren't that great, so even with this form, it will be a very difficult task to reclaim the European title. It's a cyclocross where I still have a lot to prove. We'll see; I'm definitely going for it."
"But, mind you: I'm not saying it can't be done. I'm certain it is," the Belgian insists. "I've been a champion in the sand three times as a youth, but there are also days when my handlebars turn and I crash. I've rarely ridden a good sand cyclocross in the elite ranks. Yes, in Zonhoven, but you can't really call that a real sand cyclocross."
Not like Zonhoven, but a cross for the sand specialists
This opens up the competition even further. A few riders specialize in the sand, but it is a type of track where incidents and mishaps can occur more often, whilst technical skills and running speed can also be deeply influential in the outcome of the race.
"I don't know: sometimes it goes well, but in cyclocross it rarely happens. I have a bit of a love-hate relationship with the sand. I've cursed it regularly. Physically, I'll be at my best, but it's still a very difficult task. Even if I'm 5 percent better than on the Koppenberg," the defending champion adds.
"And I might as well not even be on the podium," Nys says, likely trying to purposefully lower expectations on himself, hence lower the pressure from the Belgian media who will keep an eye on his every move.
"With fitness, you can still make some adjustments in the sand, and I know I'll be in top shape, but if you make two or three mistakes in the sand, you'll still be playing catch-up and blow your engine. I'm not saying it's impossible at the European Championships, but I'll have to push myself to win."
Rúben SilvaEditor-in-Chief
A founding contributor to CyclingUpToDate since its launch in January 2022, Ruben Silva has played a central role in shaping the site’s editorial direction and long-term growth. Before joining the project, he built his experience through independent blogging at Echelons Hub and by producing race previews for Ciclismo Internacional, developing a strong analytical voice rooted in daily engagement with professional cycling.
Beyond editorial work, he has been closely involved in the expansion and coordination of CyclingUpToDate’s wider network, helping establish and support sister platforms across multiple languages. This includes ongoing collaboration with CiclismoAlDia (Spanish), CiclismoAtual (Portuguese), WielrennenUpToDate (Dutch), and RadsportAktuell (German), contributing to a shared editorial vision and consistent international coverage.
He also helps oversee editorial governance across the network, setting standards for accuracy and consistency and coordinating updates or corrections when needed.
Originally from the Porto metropolitan area in Portugal, he holds a bachelor’s degree in Geography. His path into cycling journalism was shaped not through formal media training, but through independent reporting, community engagement, and sustained on-the-ground involvement in the sport.
Over the course of his career, he has conducted approximately 100 interviews across road cycling and cyclocross, ranging from one-to-one conversations and online formats to press conferences and on-site pre- and post-race coverage. His interviews include leading riders, team managers, and prominent figures within cycling media: Tadej Pogacar, Jonas Vingegaard, Mathieu van der Poel, Primoz Roglic, Wout van Aert, Joao Almeida and Tom Pidcock; managers like Patrick Lefevere and Joxean Matxin; and YouTube personality Bryan Kennedy (BKXC)...
Within 18 months of launch, he helped grow CyclingUpToDate’s English-language platform into one of the most-read cycling news websites, built entirely from the ground up. As both a professional journalist and lifelong cycling enthusiast, his focus remains on delivering accurate, timely, and well-contextualized coverage.
claps 1visitors 1
Just in
Popular news
Latest comments
- I get the point totally. We live in the snowflake society where some riders forget they are getting paid to ride and get results. When they have a few issues they try to look outside of the real issue instead of themselves. It odd so many of the team are making no complaints and getting on with their job. If you do not like what you do find another job simples. Tough love as my mum would say.paultryan200207-11-2026
- many people advise him to grow slowly and rather do giro and/or vuelta instead of tdf. but i can totally understand that he is not satisfied with taking over once pogi declines, but instead beat him in his prime. so if he goes for tdf again, i‘m all for it. let‘s hope that pogi recovers soon!Ketterechts07-11-2026
- So gracious to offer something no-one would be prepared to pay for. The Giro is not the Tour and doesn’t command the same interest or attract the same “elite” (those willing to pay to be a part of something they consider has ego boosting potential). Roadside viewing will always largely remain free for everyone outside circuits. Introduction of a symbolic entrance to mountain climbs is worthy of exploration. Asking 1-2€ isn’t going to repulse real fans (most will spend 50-100€ on their outing that day all things included) but will prevent a portion of the total knobhead thrillseekers who will join in any large gathering as long as it’s free, just because they’re attracted to crowds, without which it it difficult for them to work up their anti-social behaviour.Jumpyjohn07-11-2026
- How is radio going to help when someone went over a cliff or bridge or off the roadside into a forest unnoticed and is laying there unconscious?Jumpyjohn07-11-2026
- Yep, next we’ll be accusing F1 drivers of avoiding Le Mans.Jumpyjohn07-11-2026
- But on what is that opinion based? Are you holding him to a different standard than others? Are you saying he should do learn to like something he doesn’t Are you saying he hasn’t achieved enough Are you saying he pretends to be better than his results? It’s actually a really strange opinion to oust if you consider it objectively or rationally. Try applying it to others or yourself by asking if not EVERYONE should then be doing more? Nobody in athletics or swimming gets criticism for not expanding their repertoire when a rival or someone else does. In fact, most who move to another event get accused of running from their rival. Opinions are boring, the reasons behind them are what count.Jumpyjohn07-11-2026
- for a medical chief to throw things like is just bad. There are already radios which were banned for spectacle. allow radios. Gps trackers are not a complete solutionabstractengineer07-11-2026
- any rider less than 25 whether they are really ready for the position of leadership of GT is probably not the case. I think Pogi himself suffered when he was defeated by Jonas in the TDF twice. But that would be the team's job to ensure support so that they can bounce back. It requires a team and time to get back up and win after getting knocked down.abstractengineer07-11-2026
- I'm very glad he got the big late Quickstep Vuelta win and I hope he has a few left for Euskaltel-Euskadi.flyer07-11-2026
- My memories of Ivan Basso aren't good but I liked his sister Elisa ok.flyer07-11-2026
Loading
Write a comment