After his first season in the elite ranks of cyclocross, in which he won his first UCI World Cup race in Waterloo, the reigning U23 Cyclocross World Champion Thibau Nys is feeling confident going into this weekend’s World Championships in Tábor. The Baloise - Trek Lions rider had a successful final two rounds of the UCI World Cup, as he finished fourth in Hoogerheide and third in Benidorm.
When asked in an interview with WielerFlits whether he is satisfied with his cyclocross season, Nys said “if you see what I achieved at the beginning of the season, I cannot be satisfied with what I have achieved since. It is a learning process and we will try to remove those mistakes. I am already satisfied with where I am today, but there is just a bad period in between that I would have liked to leave out”.
Ahead of the World Championships this weekend, the Belgian rider said “I know that I am in good shape, that I am really looking forward to it and that it is a course that I really enjoy doing. I have always ridden well in Tábor and I want to give the best of myself”.
Nys will be targeting a strong result, but with the likes of reigning World Champion Mathieu van der Poel set to be on the start line it will be difficult for him to take the victory. On his aims for the race, he said “now someone like Mathieu is at the start, forcing you to shift your goals. And then the podium is the highest achievable. I would be incredibly proud if I could do that”.
Thibau Nys steps on the podium in Benidorm 🦁🔥 He was joined by @larsvanderhaar in 7th, Joris Nieuwenhuis in 13th and @pimronhaar in 16th place. @lucinda_brand & Fleur Moors capture 4th and 19th place. @Davidhaverding1 & Ward Huybs take 7th and 10th place! 💪🏼 📸 @belgaimage
