Sven Nys hopes Baloise-Trek Lions' riders will take another step in this CX season: "Sometimes they don't dare lose in order to win"
Cyclocross
Baloise Trek Lions will start the cyclo-cross season with ambition. Big names such as Lars van der Haar, Thibau Nys, Shirin van Anrooij and Lucinda Brand must ensure success in the elite categories, but there has also been heavy investment in youth. A balanced team in other words.
"It is up to us to get toughness into the team," team manager Sven Nys tells WielerFlits. "We don't just attract riders based on talent, they also have to fit into our team. Both in terms of communication and mentality," he explains about the roster selection process.
"Finishing is sometimes still lacking, but that has nothing to do with the physical aspect. It sometimes creeps into our athletes that they are cautious. Sometimes they don't dare lose in order to win. They have to make an effort every now and then at a time when they think 'will it work out?', they still think too often."
"That can make the difference, going for it every now and then and seeing where the ship ends up. It is up to us to instill that toughness, but it is also a matter of trust. If that works once, it builds confidence and then the rest of the team grows along with it. In any case, we will start the fight," Nys concludes.
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Ondrej ZhasilCycling Journalist
Ondřej Zhasil is a cycling journalist at CyclingUpToDate and has been part of the team since 2023. He is based in Ostrava, the third-largest city in the Czech Republic, and covers professional cycling across the main UCI competitions, including the Tour de France, the Giro d’Italia, and La Vuelta a España. A key focus of his work is startlist analysis and pre-race coverage, where he examines team selections, rider line-ups, and tactical scenarios ahead of major events.
Alongside WorldTour coverage, Ondřej has developed specific expertise in junior cycling and in racing across East Asia, including competitions in China and Japan. He also maintains a broad working knowledge of other disciplines and levels, including cyclocross, while continuing to expand his understanding of mountain bike racing.
Ondřej holds a bachelor’s degree in Mathematics and Physics, which supports his analytical, data-driven approach to performance and race analysis. In his reporting, he regularly uses ProCyclingStats for results, statistics, and historical context. He places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available.
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