Sven Nys calms the hype around Thibau Nys' climbing performances in Hungary: "I certainly don't see a future as a GC rider"

The 2021 U23 European champion Thibau Nys was aleady known as a rider with aptitude for the hills combined with a powerful kick in his legs. But little did anyone (including his coaches) expect he'd take down the GC at Tour de Hongrie. Logically, the next question that arises then is whether the Lidl-Trek rider can show his climbing level at the highest level. His father thinks the 21-year-old's true potential lies elsewhere than in the mountains.

"He certainly has the explosiveness to win a sprint. He just lacks some weight to really compete against a Tim Merlier or Fabio Jakobsen. He is just too light for that," Thibau's father Sven Nys shares his opinion with In de Leiderstrui.

"I think he will perform much better in a tough race. In a final with a select group there are many more possibilities. That has changed in his profile over the past 12 months. I see him pushing boundaries every day. I think he would come into his own in the Amstel Gold Race or the Flèche Wallonne with a finish on the Mur de Huy," Sven Nys says about his son's future objectives.

"He also dreams of a good performance in the Tour of Flanders. I think Paris-Roubaix suits him much less. And I certainly don't see a future as a GC rider: the high mountains are too ambitious and his time trial is a huge challenge," he points out.