"Hit a pole with my pedal or my handlebars. I was catapulted" - Pained Thibau Nys explains late crash at Flandriencross Hamme

Thibau Nys looked strong this Sunday afternoon at the latest round of the X2O Badkamers Trofee at the Flandriencross Hamme. Sadly for the European champion though, as he pushed the limit on the final lap, Nys pushed a little too hard, crashing spectacularly and ruling himself out of race-winning contention.

With Niels Vandeputte in the lead and Eli Iserbyt on the wheel of the Alpecin-Deceuninck star, Nys was sat in third on the last lap, looking to up the pace and close the gap if possible. As mentioned though, he sadly went over the limit nearing the finale, hitting the barriers at the side of the course and being sent head over heels straight over his handlebars to a hard crash. Thankfully, Nys was able to remount and eventually cross the line, although all hopes of victory had long passed.

“When I fell, the victory was already gone. I shot out of the lane and hit a pole with my pedal or my handlebars. I was catapulted away. It was a blow that I didn’t see coming," he explains afterwards. "My neck is a bit stiff and I can hardly move my knee, but fortunately the damage is not too bad. I had the feeling that I could win, but I didn’t have the legs that I had yesterday. The best was a bit off in the final. I am less disappointed than yesterday. The best and the smartest won today.”