"For the first time this season, I had back problems" - Thibau Nys worried after lackluster Antwerp World Cup

Thibau Nys is one of the most talented cyclocross riders on the planet but also one who has dealt with inconsistencies often in the past. Usually, that was due to back pain. Worries emerge once again for the Baloise Glowi Lions who has experienced it for the first time this winter at the World Cup Antwerp.

"Will it ever amount to anything here? I don't know, but I'm going to do everything I can to turn things around," Nys said in a post-race interview with Sporza. "I missed my start and didn't have enough power to get back into the race. If things also go wrong technically, it will be difficult".

It was a complete day off for Nys. One week ago in Namur, he looked just as strong as Mathieu van der Poel in the climber-oriented course. This Saturday in Antwerp, a track known for its sandy and explosive sections, the World Cup leader struggled right from the start moment. He only finished 23rd in the race, scoring only 3 points and losing the cup lead to Laurens Sweeck.

"For the first time this season, I had back problems. I need to get that checked out," he admitted. In the very first day of the Christmas block, timing could not be worst if this is to continue flaring up. "I tried to find something positive, to challenge myself in the sand, even though the race was long gone. But I kept coming up against myself."

Nys did not abandon the race, but ultimately with this performance and tomorrow's absence from the Koksijde World Cup (alongside Mathieu van der Poel's constant wins), the Belgian's World Cup aspirations take a very big hit.

"I wanted to finish the race, but I realized there wasn't much I could do. It's been a long time since I've had a day like this. That's not nice, but it's part of it," he concluded. If everything is well, Nys should return to racing on Monday for the X2O Trofee Hofstade.