Since the news broke that Wout van Aert will indeed compete in the Cyclo-cross World Championships, excitement has been building for Sunday’s race. Fans are eagerly anticipating a showdown between Van Aert and his biggest rival, Mathieu van der Poel. Belgian cycling legend Sven Nys believes this clash is inevitable and could be closer than many expect.
A Course Suited for Van Aert
It has been widely noted that the Liévin course plays to Van Aert’s strengths. Former champions like Niels Albert, Bart Wellens, and Paul Herygers have all pointed out that the course’s layout could work in his favor. Sven Nys shares this view and elaborated on it in an interview with Het Nieuwsblad.
“The power Wout displayed last Saturday in Maasmechelen will bring him close to Mathieu’s level on a course like Liévin,” Nys said with a gleam in his eye. “And that’s exactly what we want. We’re going to see a battle on two fronts: Wout and Mathieu fighting for the world title, while the rest compete for third place.”
Van Aert’s Presence Makes the Race More Exciting
Nys is particularly pleased with Van Aert’s decision to race at the World Championships. “As impressive as Mathieu’s performances are, people don’t tune in to cyclo-cross to know the winner after just one lap,” he said. “I want to be unsure of the result until half a lap before the finish. Sport thrives on rivalries.”
Nys is convinced that this much-anticipated duel will materialize on Sunday. If it does, the first two places on the podium seem all but decided. But who will take third?
Could Thibau Nys Join Them on the Podium?
There is a possibility that Sven Nys’ own son, Thibau Nys, could challenge for a podium spot. The elder Nys believes his son will be highly motivated. “Thibau thrives on racing against Mathieu and Wout. He would love to stay as close to them as possible. And he has the competitive spirit to give everything and make life difficult for them.”
However, Thibau will need to improve on his recent performances. He fell ill last week, withdrew from the Maasmechelen race, and abandoned after just two laps in Hoogerheide. Despite this, Sven Nys is not too concerned. He reassured that his son has resumed training as planned and should be ready for Sunday’s big showdown.
With Van Aert in top form and Van der Poel looking as dominant as ever, all signs point to an electrifying World Championship race. Whether Thibau Nys can join them on the podium remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: cyclo-cross fans are in for a treat.
