"This is a goosebumps moment" - Sven Nys full of pride after son Thibau's European Championship victory

One of the greats of cyclocross history, Sven Nys was beaming with pride after the 2024 European Championships having seen his son Thibau Nys complete a sensational victory in Spain and become European champion.

“Thibau played it very maturely and maturely today. He waited for the right moments and he was on a roll the entire race,” a delighted Nys senior told VTM after the dramatic finale to the 2024 European Championship in which Thibau Nys overcame a brave effort from home crowd hero Felipe Orts to emerge victorious. “His cyclocross season didn’t start off great due to his busy summer and an illness, but now winning in Overijse and also taking that jersey here... I don’t really have the words for it. This is a goosebumps moment. You’re really up against the pros here.”

"Fortunately, we can end the day beautifully. A title like that is something a team can pull itself up on," Sven Nys continues. "It gives wings. His explosiveness and killer instinct have allowed him to finish this off. Thibau can handle the pressure very well and actually gets a kick out of jerseys."

Nys also has already got some plans in mind for the best way to celebrate his son's biggest career achievement to date. "There will be a big smile on his face later and he will get a big hug from me. A good glass of red wine will do tonight," the Belgian icon concludes.