Thibau Nys skips this weekend's World Cup to prepare better for the rest of the season: "This way I can start fresher in other races"

Thibau Nys will not start the third World Cup race of this season, while he is only two points behind leader Lars van der Haar in provisional standings after two races. The World Cup race, which is being held on his birthday, is not the only cross this weekend. The Belgian chooses to make appearance in Niel on Saturday.

The 20-year-old Belgian started this cyclo-cross season with wins in Beringen and the Koppenbergcross. He also won the very first World Cup of the season in Waterloo, America. Together with a seventh place in Maasmechelen, this puts Nys in third place in the World Cup standings. Only Eli Iserbyt and Lars van der Haarare ahead of Nys, by 1 and 2 points respectively.

Nevertheless, the Belgian talent chooses to race in Niel this weekend. There he will try to take revenge from a disappointing European Championship. Nys simply fell short in Pontchâteau. A flat tire threw the Baloise Trek Lions rider further back, after which he hit the brakes three laps before the end.

Afterwards, Nys told Het Nieuwsblad that he would put winning the World Cups back on the schedule. "This way I can start fresher in other races. When I'm fresh I can keep up with the better ones. If I haven't recovered sufficiently, I won't be able to do it. My age may also play a role in this. All this is part of the learning process I undergo as a rider."