Sven Nys' home city Baal will host GP Sven Nys on January 1 once again: "I am proud that the cross still exists"

January 1 in cyclocross is traditionally the cross in Baal, home of De Kannibaal Sven Nys. It is therefore no wonder that this competition bears the name GP Sven Nys. A cross that is less than a quarter of a century old has a permanent place on the calendar. WielerFlits remembers the past of this cyclocross.

"A very deliberately chosen date," says Nys. "By analogy with Rillaar, where during the heyday of Roland Liboton, a cyclocross was organized on January 1 on the Tienbunder, Roland's training course. My supporters club wanted to do that too. Same date, same region."

"In the initial phase, things did not go smoothly," Nys admits. "Partly due to the weather conditions, it was a struggle in the first few years to keep our heads above water - financially. We had to find our audience. After all, January 1 remains a special date. But little by little it has grown."

When Nys ended his career in 2016, there were fears for the survival of the GP. But the GP Sven Nys still exists. "Some of the local government at the time still helps," Nys explains. "Some have dropped out and that is not abnormal. But I am proud that the cross still exists." Even more, with the rising popularity of his son Thibau, Baal may be able to grow again in terms of spectator numbers in the coming years.