“I was really panicking this morning – my rib had completely locked”: Thibau Nys battles through pain but ultimately loses European Championship title in Middelkerke

Thibau Nys fought through injury and self-doubt at the 2025 Cyclocross European Championships in Middelkerke on Sunday afternoon, but had to settle for silver after being out-sprinted by compatriot Toon Aerts in a dramatic finale on the Belgian coast.

The 22-year-old arrived at the start line uncertain even to race after waking up with a painful, locked rib. “I was really panicking this morning,” Nys admitted afterwards in conversation with Sporza. “My rib had completely locked up. We had to get it loosened at the last minute. But during the race I didn’t feel anything. I’m definitely not going to use that as an excuse — it didn’t bother me at all.”

Despite that shaky start to the day, the reigning European champion looked every bit the favourite once the race hit full speed. After a cautious opening, Nys joined the leading group alongside Aerts, Pim Ronhaar, and Joran Wyseure, as the shifting sand and incoming tide turned the course into a tactical minefield. Each attack was matched, every mistake punished.

In the final lap, Nys sensed his moment. “I thought about going hard straight after that last sand section, hoping to open up a gap and then push all the way to the finish,” he explained. “But it didn’t happen. After that I wanted to start the sprint from second position because there was a headwind. That worked — I forced Toon to take the front. I thought I could come around him, but he rode a really strong sprint. I couldn’t get over him, not even alongside.”

Honest in defeat, Nys was quick to praise the new champion. “Toon just rode a strong sprint. He’s the deserved European champion,” he said. “It was a very awkward race to ride. I actually felt good, but it was hard to make any difference. Whenever I thought everyone was on their limit, someone would come back again, or I’d make a small mistake. It was a race where you could win — or end up outside the top ten.”

For Nys, it was a near-miss that still confirmed his form ahead of the World Championships later this winter. His power, poise and determination to race through the pain underlined why he remains one of the brightest stars in cyclocross — even on a day when his coveted European champion's jersey changed hands to a rival.