Thibau Nys looking for consistency in key Cyclocross season - "There was too little regularity"

Although being only 19 years of age, the pressure and ambition within Thibau Nys is high coming into the Cyclocross season. The son of legend Sven Nys, and just having signed a World Tour contract for Trek - Segafredo, the demand in work and preparation will be higher in the coming months.

“I would have definitely signed for sixth place, without a doubt," he told Wielerflits after his debut this Sunday in Beringen, where he finished the men's race in sixth position. "I didn't want to immediately have a place in mind in advance, that's dangerous with your first cross of the season. Moreover, it is difficult to estimate on a track like today. This is actually exactly what I wanted to start the season with. It is very promising for the coming weeks.”

Racing for Baloise - Trek Lions, he will be riding in the under-23 ranks, however occasionally - like this weekend's case - alongside the Elite riders. With Toon Aerts out of the Belgian lineup, the team's focus will be more on Nys as he looks to find consistency in his third year at under-23 level. Last year he's taken three wins, all in consecutive order over the crucial Christmas period; in Loenhout, Baal and Herentals. He's finished third in the World Championships, but was disappointed with his lack of consistency, which will be a priority for the 2022-2023 season.

“To ride around constantly and to achieve a top-10 place in that way, that's what I'm coming for this season," he said. "I really want to try to finish every week as consistently as possible. In recent years I occasionally succeeded, but there was too little regularity. I want to be in that top 10 every week. Of course it won't work every week, it can't be good every week."

Nys is soon to travel to the United States where the first two World Cup rounds will be, and he's looking to hit the ground running. “It is important to have a solid training block next week. Once you're in America, you can't train too much anymore," he explained.

"You have to adapt to the jet lag, there are a number of races close together and it is of course a lot of travel. It is important to rest well," Nys concluded.