"He is the successor to Wout van Aert and Mathieu van der Poel" - Zdenek Stybar showers praise onto Thibau Nys

Thibau Nys has taken great strides in his development over the course of 2024, both on the road and already this winter in the field. According to three-time cyclocross world champion Zdenek Stybar, Nys is the most natural successor to the biggest multi-discipline stars of today, Wout van Aert and Mathieu van der Poel.

“What Thibau has shown on the road in 2024 is incredible,” says Stybar, who himself successfully switched from cyclocross to road, winning Omloop Het Nieuwsblad, a stage of the Tour de France and Vuelta a Espana, plus twice finishing runner-up at Paris-Roubaix, in conversation with De Zondag. “He will become one of the best cyclists in the world. Write this down: for me, he is the successor to Wout van Aert and Mathieu van der Poel."

Despite this prediction and a European Championship title already this winter, Stybar doesn't believe Nys is fully ready just yet. "Thibau still has some progress to make. Of course, he also has to be able to mentally handle the pressure of the highest level," admits the Czech cycling icon. "Getting to the top is one thing, staying there is another. But Sven Nys, who has so much experience, will be able to correct him and assist him in difficult moments.”

“He can share his passion with his son. So I’m a little jealous of Sven. He can pass on his experience and enjoy all of his son’s victories up close. That belongs to him and his son. It must be wonderful for Sven,” Stybar adds. “I’ve known Thibau since he was very young: he would jump on his bike, ride on cyclocross courses, try out all the downhill sections over and over again… It’s amazing to see that the boy from back then is now one of the best cyclists in the world, also on the road.”