"Someone rode right over my ankle” - Thibau Nys' hopes of World Cup win in Dublin ruined by crash

Thibau Nys has had a bright start to the cyclocross season, highlighted by his recent European Championship success. In the first two rounds of the World Cup though, things haven't exactly gone to plan for the prodigiously talented Belgian.

After coming home a very disappointing 12th last time out in Antwerp, Nys had hoped to put things right in Dublin this Sunday afternoon. Sadly, any hopes the Baloise - Trek Lions star had were over on the very first lap. Michael Boros had one of the better starts in the field, but after the Czech rider crashed on the beams, he spectacularly brought down a number of riders as he tried to stand up and get back on his bike, most notably European champion Nys. After spending some considerable time laying in a heap at the side of the course, Nys did eventually get gingerly back although a few laps later he was forced to abandon.

“While I was lying there, someone rode right over my ankle,” Nys explained in a few quick comments to the media after his abandonment. “I couldn’t put any more power on it. I tried to make it a thorough training, but it got worse and worse. It really went square. This is a big disappointment. I would have liked to have ridden a nice race.”

In the end, victory on the day went to Michael Vanthourenhout, who prevailed in a thrilling bunch sprint finale ahead of Toon Aerts and Felipe Orts.