The 2026 Giro d'Italia is likely to get an unexpected star in the form of Thibau Nys

The 2026 Giro d'Italia route was announced this week. It features a few difficult mountain stages that will make for an exciting GC battle, but also a lot of hilly days. This could trigger a few classics specialists to choose the Corsa Rosa over the Tour de France and amongst them is quite likely going to be Thibau Nys.

For the time being, Nys is busy with cyclocross, where he just lost his European title, however has kicked off the World Cup with two strong victories in Tabor and Flamanville. He is potentially going to be aiming to win the classification which would come as a great achievement for the Belgian, who has also struggled with consistency over the past few years at times. But Nys has objectives on the road.

His incredible 2024 season also put on full display how much he can actually he when given the right schedules, taking nine pro wins between April and August including several at World Tour level. 2025 was a year to mature in the peloton, winning the GP Miguel Indurain and finishing fifth at Liège-Bastogne-Liège in his short spring campaign, but later failing to reach the same form in the summer. He made his Tour de France debut, aiding Jonathan Milan to the green jersey and two stage wins, but individually he failed to net results or have an influence in the race. He ended his season at the Bretagne Classic, still far from his best form.

In 2026 he will look to get back into top form on the road and if he manages to do so, it will be an exciting prospect. He most likely will aim for some of the spring classics taking into consideration his attributes, but according to Gazzetta dello Sport's Ciro Scognamiglio, the Belgian rider is likely heading to the Giro d'Italia. The route features plenty hilly stages from start to finish - specially in its second half - and it could prove to be fertile ground for the puncheurs such as him to make an impact and net an important victory.