"The big gains are yet to come" from 'special' Thibau Nys insists Paul Herygers

Thibau Nys signalled yet again his growing stature in 2024 last weekend, taking a sensational victory in the men's elite cyclocross European Championships in Pontevedra, Spain on Sunday afternoon. According to former world champion Paul Herygers though, the best of Nys could still be yet to come.  

"He's a special guy, isn't he? I enjoyed that victory. It almost makes you emotional yourself. Especially when you see that he's susceptible to it," the 1994 cyclocross world champion analyses in his post-race assessment for Sporza. "He's already been through everything with his dad. He starts at the bottom, but he's steadily growing."

As mentioned, this European title, whilst his biggest career success to date, is more of a sign of the growing improvement from Nys in 2024, having recently bagged his first Superprestige success and entering the cyclocross winter off the back of a breakthrough season on the road. "Somehow he has more qualities on the road. He has already shown that," Herygers notes. "Sven could learn a thing or two from that. His way of racing and sprinting, his charisma. He excels in all areas."

"He's really taking it up a notch... What level will he reach? That remains to be seen," continues Herygers, although does urge a little caution and patience surrounding Nys' development from here. "He shouldn't put that pressure on himself. There's no need for that, but he can't wait. He wants to be there as soon as possible. I still stick to my position: take your time. There's already a lot to be gained, but the big gains are yet to come."