"Thibau must get off the bike and lie in the sun" - Paul Van Den Bosch on Thibau Nys' form drop-off

Having started the winter in excellent form, taking home three wins from his first five races of the cyclocross season, Thibau Nys's form has dropped off sharply lately. As such, Nys is now taking a short rest to recover and refocus.

"It's high time to pull the plug," explains the Baloise - Trek Lions star's coach, Paul Van Den Bosch in conversation with In de Leiderstrui. "That is the only choice when he indicates that there is nothing left to do. He is not yet chronically tired, but to prevent that from happening, he must stop now."

As mentioned, Nys started the winter in electric form with victories at the Be-Mine Cross, the UCI World Cup in Waterloo and the brutal Koppenbergcross. Following his most recent performance of a 19th placed finish in Flamanville however, the Belgian is set for a short rest.

"He won't be at the start for three weeks now and is heading for good weather. Thibau must get off the bike and lie in the sun. Very relaxing, to recover both physically and mentally," explains Van Den Bosch. "A body is basically recovered in a week. This is followed by a week of endurance training, finally a week for specific stimuli. Then follows a big test during the Christmas period. No one knows what it will bring."