New Vuelta setback for Thibau Nys as illness forces another race withdrawal

It has not been Thibau Nys’ year so far. The Lidl-Trek rider did not make his first road appearance until June after a lengthy absence following surgery. The Vuelta a España is his major objective later this summer, but his preparation is once again proving far from straightforward. After missing the Clásica San Sebastián, Nys has now also withdrawn from the Tour of Burgos, which begins on Tuesday.

Following the cyclo-cross winter, there was a long wait for clarity over when Nys would return to road racing. An answer finally arrived in March, when the young Belgian underwent surgery for what is commonly known as cyclist’s knee. The procedure ruled him out of the entire spring Classics campaign, understandably representing a major disappointment for the rider from Bonheiden and for his Lidl-Trek team.

A lengthy rehabilitation period followed, with uncertainty remaining over exactly when Nys would be able to race again. His comeback eventually came on June 14 at GP Gippingen, where he immediately finished fourth. The Tour de Suisse followed, although that race was slightly more disappointing. The Belgian later admitted that he had expected more from his performance there.

At the end of June, the Lidl-Trek rider competed in the Belgian road championships and finished fifth, after which his attention was set to turn towards the Vuelta a España. Nys had been due to ride the Clásica San Sebastián as part of his preparation, but illness forced him to withdraw. The Tour of Burgos has now also been removed from his programme.

His entourage offered an explanation to HLN: "First, he now needs to recover fully.” With the Vuelta rapidly approaching, that is naturally not an encouraging development. The Spanish Grand Tour begins in Monaco on August 22, just two and a half weeks away. The condition in which Nys will be able to reach the start remains uncertain.