Results World Cup Flamanville | Thibau Nys completes epic comeback after Joris Nieuwenhuis’ strong early ride unravelled with late mistake

Thibau Nys claimed his latest major victory with a composed and forceful performance in Flamanville, attacking decisively when Joris Nieuwenhuis suffered a costly mechanical and riding the final quarter of an hour alone. The result completed a one-two for the Baloise Glowi Lions, with Lars van der Haar taking second place ahead of an excellent ride from Cameron Mason.

The contest opened chaotically. Nieuwenhuis remained motionless when the gun fired but produced a remarkable recovery to slice through the field and seize the early lead by the end of the first lap. Early accelerations from Nys, Nieuwenhuis, Van der Haar and Nils Vandeputte shaped the opening phase, before a fast-closing Mason added a fifth name to the list of potential winners.

The race fractured and re-formed across the middle laps. Van der Haar launched a brief solo, Nys and Nieuwenhuis traded pressure, and Vandeputte began to lose contact under the sustained pace. Mason, riding one of the strongest mid-race sections, clawed his way into the front group, briefly forming a quartet that dictated the action.

The defining moment arrived on lap seven. Just as Nieuwenhuis looked set to force another selection, a chain drop halted his momentum. Nys immediately sensed the opportunity and attacked with full commitment, creating daylight that neither Mason nor Van der Haar could close.

Nys briefly slipped on an uphill corner on the penultimate lap, reducing his advantage to around ten seconds, but he quickly reset, relaunched, and re-established control. Mason, still carrying the effort of his earlier chase, faded slightly, allowing Van der Haar to move into second in a textbook team-tactical finish.

Behind them, Nieuwenhuis, Vandeputte and Laurens Sweeck fought for the remaining top-five positions after the earlier reshuffle.

Nys’ triumph in Flamanville extended his perfect run of form, marking his third consecutive weekend victory after wins in Hamme and Tabor. Van der Haar completed the team’s celebration with second place, while Mason confirmed another major step forward with a well-earned podium.