"If he can stand on a podium like last year, that would be very nice" - Sven Nys on Thibau Nys' Belgian Championship hopes

Having started the cyclocross season in top-form, Thibau Nys hasn't quite hit the heights in recent weeks. As such, with the Belgian National Championships on the horizon, his father Sven Nys isn't putting too much pressure of expectations on his son.

“It is a course where many riders can win, but everything will have to be right for Thibau," the legendary Belgian previews of the race for the tricolor to Wielerflits. "He has proven he can win, but that was a while ago. On the other hand, he has shown in Diegem and Baal that he is very close to a high level. If that level is touched, then there are possibilities.”

Although Wout van Aert won't be present, competition from the likes of Eli Iserbyt, Laurens Sweeck and Michael Vanthourenhout mean things won't be easy for Nys. “The field is completely open," says Sven. "I think Thibau is mainly trying to recover from a busy period and try to have a good day on Sunday.”

Does Sven believe Thibau Nys can win? “That would be nice," he smiles. "But let's not draw too many conclusions. He just has to be okay. If he can stand on a podium like last year, that would be very nice.”