Can Thibau Nys be a match to Mathieu van der Poel this cyclocross season? "Everyone thinks or hopes that it all has to happen quickly"

Last year Mathieu van der Poel rode a spotless cyclocross season, off the back of a season with no injuries or illnesses to slow him down. This season we may see it once again but former World Champion Paul Herygers believes Wout van Aert will be closer, and thinks most people argue that so will Thibau Nys.

"Devilish voices still say that he will not come to race, but will that actually be the case? He should feel the cold before he goes down to the classics," Herygers argues for Het Nieuwsblad. The legend of the discipline believes that van der Poel would not benefit from skipping the CX season - one where he could achieve a seventh World title, if he is to win in Liévin.

Recently race organizer Christophe Impens said that actually, races are increasing in popularity and viewership in the absence of dominant victories from the likes of van der Poel or Wout van Aert. "Would it not necessarily be necessary for the tension? No, maybe not. But I sometimes light a candle for that," Herygers comments. 

Whilst there is obviously a positive trend, it's undeniable that the grand majority of the audience wishes to see the two stars in action regardless. Although he has a surprising opinion regarding the timeline in which they will return to the discipline. "And the public also wants to see them in the field. Plus, Van Aert will come faster than we expect. I suspect that Mathieu will join two to three weeks later." It is rather certain that Wout van Aert will return to competition only after the 19th of December after the end of the Team Visma | Lease a Bike training camp, whilst the World Champion should have his schedule known this upcoming week.

But Herygers doesn't believe that, at least at first, the Alpecin-Deceuninck rider won't dominate as he did last year: "They certainly won't ride away from the first minute. The current names will come short. If you haven't ridden a cyclocross yet, like Mathieu, and you have to start fighting against the current field of participants right away... Watch out, he will teach them a lesson, but I don't think he will ride away from them for a minute like he did in the past."

He also shares his thoughts on Thibau Nys who seems to be growing in consistency this year after a terrific spell on the road, and may be on track to finally consistently deliver in cyclocross - after already snatching the European title in Pontevedra and taking a few more wins.

"He'll be a star. Everyone thinks or hopes that it all has to happen quickly, but I won't let that fool me. If he could double his successes from last year in the field this season... On the road, certainly. I dare say now that he could win the Flèche Wallonne next season. If they take him to the Mur de Huy," he concludes.