Sven Nys believes Thibau doesn't need European Championships win as of yet: "If Lars wins the European Championship, Thibau will not go home frustrated"

Sven Nys is one of the main figures in the history of cyclocross and one of the riders who has performed over the longest period of years. He knows what is necessary to thrive in the sport long-term, and hence he thinks there is no pressure on Thibau Nys winning today at the European Championships after his recent run of success.

"We (Baloise Trek Lions, ed.) would like to become European champions, we have already achieved that a few times. We are in a situation where we can dream of a title, but we don't care who it is," Sven Nys told In de Leiderstrui. "Maybe it would be even better, and that may sound a bit strange, if it were Lars [Van der Haar] today, instead of Thibau [Nys]. If Thibau takes that title now, that's good, but he is relaxed by winning the Koppenbergcross. If Lars wins the European Championship, Thibau will not go home frustrated. If there are two of them in the final? Then they can fight it out."

Whilst the race takes place in national team format, Nys does not really think that will be the case on the trails - and neither will many riders. Managing an extremely successful Nys and also Lars van der Haar, recent winner in Maasmechelen and second in the Koppenbergcross, the veteran believes the team could take the win today. "It would be a shame if one of us didn't win because they were chasing each other. They are sensible enough to deal with that situation."

The circuit in Pontchâteau could prove quite fast and explosive despite the rain of recent days, and that could come as a benefit for Thibay Nys. However there are plenty other riders with the legs to win on a day like this, a very big goal for many riders this winter.

"In cross country you don't often have situations where something like this goes wrong, but it is of course possible. And if they go to the finish with Thibau, Lars and Eli Iserbyt and Eli wins, then he was the best. This course is fair enough, fooling each other won't be easy. It will be a hand-to-hand battle.”