The upcoming World Championships this Sunday just became a lot more interesting. It’s now confirmed that Wout van Aert will also be at the start line, raising the possibility of not just a battle between him and Mathieu van der Poel, but even a three-way contest. And with Thibau Nys’ recent performances, something remarkable might be in the cards.
Although this weekend’s performance was less impressive, Nys still showed he has strength. He struggled with illness last week, which forced him to withdraw from Maasmechelen and abandon the race after two laps in Hoogerheide. This caused Nys to question whether participating in the World Championships was a good idea. However, he has decided to go ahead and compete.
His coach, Paul Van Den Bosch, shared this after discussions with Thibau and his father, Sven Nys. “After talking with Thibau and his father, it was clear that he will indeed ride at the World Championships,” Van Den Bosch stated. “Of course, it wasn’t great to perform below par last weekend, but we will do everything we can to prepare him for the World Championships.”
Van der Poel’s Middle Finger
Nys may be aiming to keep up with Van der Poel, but it’s clear the two share a playful rapport. In a special episode of DNA Nys, Thibau revealed a funny moment he had with the Dutch rider earlier this season. Van der Poel, in a lighthearted exchange, gave Nys the middle finger.
“I arrived at the starting area and saw that Mathieu had his foot in my starting spot. I jokingly said, ‘Hey man, stay in your own spot,'” Nys laughed. “And he gave me the middle finger in return. All in good fun,” he chuckled. “With Mathieu, you can joke around before the start of a race. He’s always very relaxed.”
A Bold Prediction for the Future
However, making a serious push for the World Championship title this Sunday remains a tall order for Nys. But if he manages to defy expectations, it could turn Chris Picavet’s 2004 prediction into something incredible. Picavet, a reporter, famously said, “The 2025 World Cyclocross Champion is already known. It will be Thibau Nys.”
“That would be unbelievable if I could prove Chris Picavet right and become World Champion in 2025,” Nys said in a documentary. While the odds are stacked against him this year, he certainly doesn’t consider himself out of the running.
