Results World Cup Dendermonde | Thibau Nys times it perfectly to win Dendermonde World Cup sprint

Thibau Nys claimed a hard-fought victory at the UCI Cyclocross World Cup Dendermonde, converting relentless pressure and sharp positioning into a decisive sprint win after one of the fastest and most tactical races of the season.

From the opening laps, the race refused to settle. A long line of riders remained tightly packed as early pace setting from Niels Vandeputte, Ryan Kamp and Felipe Orts stretched the field without producing separation. Wout van Aert and Nys rode attentively just behind the very front, conserving energy as the elastic tightened and relaxed repeatedly.

As the race moved into its middle phase, Nys began to take greater responsibility. The Belgian champion repeatedly drove full laps from the front, forcing constant reshuffling rather than decisive gaps. Michael Vanthourenhout and Tibor Del Grosso followed suit, while Laurens Sweeck remained consistently near the head of the race, reading the situation calmly.

Attrition slowly reduced the contenders. Toon Aerts was distanced as the pace remained high, while Van Aert was repeatedly forced to close small gaps, expending energy to stay in contact. Despite several accelerations, including a committed move from Van Aert, no rider was able to force a sustained split.

A key moment came when Del Grosso suffered a puncture, briefly dropping out of the front fight alongside Vandeputte. Del Grosso limited the damage impressively, returning to the leaders within seconds and re-establishing himself before the race entered its decisive phase.

With two laps remaining, nine riders were still together. The pace briefly stalled, allowing positions to reshuffle, but the tension was unmistakable. Van Aert struggled to move forward from sixth wheel as the course made passing increasingly difficult, while Del Grosso and Nys began to position themselves more aggressively.

On the final lap, Sweeck initially held the front, but Nys gradually increased the pressure. A sharp acceleration carried him into second position, before he finally moved to the front with Del Grosso the only rider able to follow. Sweeck was forced to yield, and the front duo opened a small but crucial gap.

The race was decided in the sprint. Nys launched first, holding a narrow advantage across the final metres to seal victory ahead of Del Grosso, executing his move with perfect timing after a race defined by speed, control and patience.

After a day where no move stuck for long, Nys proved decisive when it mattered most, turning a chaotic, high-tempo Dendermonde World Cup into a statement win on home soil.