“It’s an hour of fighting yourself” – Thibau Nys carries on his father's legacy with another classy Koppenbergcross victory
Cyclocross
Thibau Nys is building something special on the Koppenberg. On the climb where his father Sven forged legend-status, the 22-year-old delivered another commanding display to take his second Koppenbergcross title — and in doing so underline that the famous surname is no burden. It is a standard he intends not just to match, but to drive forward.
Fresh off a controlled, ruthless performance on the mud-slick cobbles, Nys admitted the win was harder than it looked.
“It maybe looked easy, but I really suffered out there,” he explained afterwards. “It’s an hour of fighting yourself. I felt in control, but even then you can’t let your focus drop — that’s when mistakes happen.”
The race rarely looked in doubt once the European champion hit the front. British champion Cameron Mason was the only rider capable of staying within striking distance, but a late crash cost him valuable momentum. Even so, Nys needed full concentration in treacherous conditions, choosing power over panache on the decisive climbs.
“Winning the Koppenbergcross was one of my big goals this season,” he said. “This is a very good way to start the season. I did what I had to do.”
His victory draws him level with Lars van der Haar and Mario De Clercq on two wins at the fabled race — still a long way off Sven Nys’ record of nine triumphs, but unmistakably a continuation of a dynasty on the toughest hill in cyclocross.
Attention now turns to next weekend’s European Championships in Middelkerke, where Thibau will defend his title. The Belgian was honest about what still needs refining.
“I probably should spend a lot of time in the sand — my sand skills aren’t that good,” he admitted with a smile. “Even with this form it’s going to be difficult to win again.”
If Koppenbergcross was a statement, it was one delivered with calm control and quiet steel. The surname carries weight — and right now, Thibau Nys looks more than ready to carry it.
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Kieran WoodDeputy Editor-in-Chief
Kieran Wood is a sports journalist based in Wales and has been active in journalism since 2022. He regularly contributes to DartsNews.com and CyclingUpToDate.com, where he covers professional cycling and darts. In cycling, his work includes liveblogs from major races, including the Tour de France, the Giro d’Italia, and La Vuelta a España, alongside race reports and analysis. He has also conducted interviews with professional riders.
His reporting spans the full racing calendar, from one-day classics to stage races, with a focus on accurate, real-time coverage and clear contextual analysis. For statistics, results, and historical context, he regularly uses resources such as ProCyclingStats. To support reporting on rider activity and training context where relevant, he also references Strava.
In his work, Kieran places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles as new, verified information becomes available.
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- I get the point totally. We live in the snowflake society where some riders forget they are getting paid to ride and get results. When they have a few issues they try to look outside of the real issue instead of themselves. It odd so many of the team are making no complaints and getting on with their job. If you do not like what you do find another job simples. Tough love as my mum would say.paultryan200207-11-2026
- many people advise him to grow slowly and rather do giro and/or vuelta instead of tdf. but i can totally understand that he is not satisfied with taking over once pogi declines, but instead beat him in his prime. so if he goes for tdf again, i‘m all for it. let‘s hope that pogi recovers soon!Ketterechts07-11-2026
- So gracious to offer something no-one would be prepared to pay for. The Giro is not the Tour and doesn’t command the same interest or attract the same “elite” (those willing to pay to be a part of something they consider has ego boosting potential). Roadside viewing will always largely remain free for everyone outside circuits. Introduction of a symbolic entrance to mountain climbs is worthy of exploration. Asking 1-2€ isn’t going to repulse real fans (most will spend 50-100€ on their outing that day all things included) but will prevent a portion of the total knobhead thrillseekers who will join in any large gathering as long as it’s free, just because they’re attracted to crowds, without which it it difficult for them to work up their anti-social behaviour.Jumpyjohn07-11-2026
- How is radio going to help when someone went over a cliff or bridge or off the roadside into a forest unnoticed and is laying there unconscious?Jumpyjohn07-11-2026
- Yep, next we’ll be accusing F1 drivers of avoiding Le Mans.Jumpyjohn07-11-2026
- But on what is that opinion based? Are you holding him to a different standard than others? Are you saying he should do learn to like something he doesn’t Are you saying he hasn’t achieved enough Are you saying he pretends to be better than his results? It’s actually a really strange opinion to oust if you consider it objectively or rationally. Try applying it to others or yourself by asking if not EVERYONE should then be doing more? Nobody in athletics or swimming gets criticism for not expanding their repertoire when a rival or someone else does. In fact, most who move to another event get accused of running from their rival. Opinions are boring, the reasons behind them are what count.Jumpyjohn07-11-2026
- for a medical chief to throw things like is just bad. There are already radios which were banned for spectacle. allow radios. Gps trackers are not a complete solutionabstractengineer07-11-2026
- any rider less than 25 whether they are really ready for the position of leadership of GT is probably not the case. I think Pogi himself suffered when he was defeated by Jonas in the TDF twice. But that would be the team's job to ensure support so that they can bounce back. It requires a team and time to get back up and win after getting knocked down.abstractengineer07-11-2026
- I'm very glad he got the big late Quickstep Vuelta win and I hope he has a few left for Euskaltel-Euskadi.flyer07-11-2026
- My memories of Ivan Basso aren't good but I liked his sister Elisa ok.flyer07-11-2026
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👦🏼🇧🇪 El hijo de Sven se vuelve a coronar 👑 Thibau Nys gana por segunda vez el #Koppenbergcross -por 9 de su padre- y estrena a lo grande un invierno que puede ser de ensueño hasta que vuelvan VDP y WVA 📺 Todo el ciclocross, en Eurosport y @StreamMaxES #LaCasaDelCiclismo
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