"Thibau might have to put cyclocross on the back burner" - Teammate argues Nys has to focus fully on the road so as to succeed at Tour de France

Lidl-Trek have in its ranks a whole host of top talents, strong leaders and experienced domestiques. It makes for one of the strongest teams in the world, with a lot of potential for development too. Edward Theuns, member of the team since 2019, has long been a key figures in the classics and sprints - and he describes what was a year of many ups and downs, what he will race in 2026 and also his thought on Thibau Nys' development.

"My first half was very good, with a win in the Bredene Koksijde Classic. That was the only day of the year I could go for it. It's rare that everything falls into place like that. I look back on that performance with great pride," Theuns shared with Sporza. Theuns, together with Simone Consonni and Jasper Stuyven, formed what was termed by many as the best leadout of 2025 for Jonathan Milan. He led the Italian throughout much of the early-season racing, but also captured a meaningful victory (his first in four years) in Bredene.

Elsewhere, he continued to thrive in his role of leadout man for the Italian sprinter, including at the Tour de France where a green jersey was conquered. However, he was himself struggling immensely through the mountains as he did not have his best legs there. "I think I was at my worst level ever during the Tour. There were reasons for that, because I was struggling with illness and a buttock injury. I kept riding too long with that injury, which meant the rest of my season didn't work out."

But the team did not ignore Theuns' effort and accomplishments: "Johnny [Milan] is a very grateful leader and a wise guy. It even got to the point where Milan waited for me in the mountains when I was struggling. 'Keep going, boy,' I shouted at him. 'You've got the green jersey.'"

In 2026, he will continue to aid Milan, with a similar schedule that will now not include the Tour de France. "Because I've asked to ride as much as possible the same program as Milan. That means that, like Johnny, I'll start the season with the AlUla Tour, followed by the UAE Tour and Tirreno. There's a chance I'll miss the opening weekend because of that. Although I'd still like to race the Omloop, as it passes through Laarne (his hometown, ed.)".

In that Tour lineup was Thibau Nys, making his Grand Tour debut, but the Belgian failed to make an impact in the race. "He might have hoped to make a splash somewhere. But that crash in the first stage made it all more difficult," Theuns argued.

"And Thibau has also realized that the Tour is a different level. To truly be at the top in the Tour, Thibau might have to put cyclocross on the back burner," Theuns argues. "And he doesn't want that yet, which I understand. He still has plenty of time to make that switch." Nys in cyclocross is the reigning Belgian champion, and also one of the top figures, in what are his first years in the elite ranks. A full-time road switch is not expected for soon, and perhaps never, as others such as Mathieu van der Poel and Wout van Aert have successfully combined the two throughout their whole career.