"Van der Poel is of course from another planet" - Thibau Nys laughs off comparison to Dutch superstar

Just 20 years old, Thibau Nys is already making a name for himself both on the road and in the world of cyclocross. Currently racing at the Baloise Belgium Tour, Nys is enjoying the chance to ride against fellow cross-discipline star, Mathieu van der Poel.

"I am already very happy if I can give battle in the final a few times. Anyway, I hope to be there a few times. Anything added after that is a bonus. I am already very happy with what I have shown this calendar year. So I don't really feel any pressure," Nys explains in an interview with In de Leidestrui. "I have also become much more independent in recent years. I think I've come a long way in that area. In any case, I will always enjoy myself and I will always do my utmost."

The chance for Nys to test himself alongside someone like van der Poel is a big thing for the Belgian. Nys is the current under 23's Cyclocross World Champion, with van der Poel the current World Champion of Cyclocross at senior level.

When Nys is asked whether he feels he can compete for victories with the Alpecin-Deceuninck star though, Nys is hesitant. "I personally don't see it that way. The difference in level is clearly a bit too big," he admits. "But I just really enjoy being at the start with him and being able to measure myself at times. In the end, van der Poel is of course from another planet."