"They are all good chances" - Thibau Nys dreams about winning his first Tour de France stage in the opening week

Among all the Tour de France debutants this year, Thibau Nys clearly stands out. The 22-year-old European cyclocross champion has already shown us times over that he has a knack for winning races and in the 2025 Grande Boucle, he'll find so many opportunities that it is hard to imagine the Lidl-Trek youngster would not score at least once.

The first week seems almost ideal for a rider with Nys' profile, but that doesn't automatically mean he has to win. "It's relative, of course, but the thought process is the right one," Nys told Het Laatste Nieuws. He then points out four chances to score his first Grand Tour stage victory: "Stages 2 [Boulogne-sur-Mer], 4 [Rouen], 6 [Vire-Normandie] and 7 [Mûr-de-Bretagne], eh? They are all good chances," he thinks.

Such are predictions, but the race can play out in a thousand different ways that cannot even be predicted, Nys knows. "That's on paper, though, because it [the actual opportunity] depends on so many factors. How is the race going? Will a breakaway stick? How do I feel...?"

As this will be Nys' trial by fire at Grand Tours, there are many things he can learn at Tour even if he doesn't make the dots connect on his first try. "Apart from my form and a possible stage win, I am curious about the answer to the question: 'Can I maintain myself at the highest level?'"

Riding a three-week long race is about much more than just pushing lots of watts (although Tadej Pogacar would disagree). Whatever the outcome, Nys will come out of the Tour a more complete rider: "I still lack that experience. In Liège-Bastogne-Liège, if necessary, I rode fast on the La Redoute or on the Rosier and voila I was where I need to be. But if that doesn't happen in the Tour…"

To an extent, he can rely on experienced men Jasper Stuyven and Edward Theuns, whose tasks will otherwise mainly consist of supporting Jonathan Milan in bunch sprints. "Being able to call on guys like Jasper and Eddy for that is a blessing. In terms of racing insight, tactics and positioning, they are among the very, very best riders in the world. Apart from that, I've already been scared and warned by everyone about what it's going to be like..." he ended with a laugh.