Nys takes second in Poland; senior Nys believes anything is possible: "Can get close to Pogacar"

Nys stayed strong throughout the tough hilly stage, managing to outlast Diego Ulissi (UAE Team Emirates) and Wilco Kelderman (Visma | Lease a Bike) at the finish. "I was more worried about getting to the finale than the finale itself," Nys said in the flash interview after the race. "I knew it would be a tough day if they increased the pace on the climbs, but I felt really good today and was able to stay in the wheel of a teammate. I want to give a big thank you to my team for positioning me so well for the finale. This victory is for them."

The race went better than expected for the 21-year-old puncher. "The climbs were faster than I thought, so I could still use the slipstream effectively. I had perfect legs and the team kept me at the front. It was textbook. "With the high pace in the finale, Nys’s strategy was straightforward. "I just had to wait as long as possible. Compared to the other top riders, I rely on my explosiveness. The longer the effort, the less chance I have of winning. In the last 100 meters, I gave everything I had."

It was a chaotic day in Poland, with narrow streets causing a lot of nervousness. "I didn’t like it at all. It was a beautiful race but so nervous, and you know it’s going to hurt. I only enjoyed the last hundred meters when I knew I was going to win. Before that, it was pure chaos and suffering." Despite the pain and nervousness, the cross racer knew it was a day full of opportunities. "It’s always tough, especially in the finale when you feel in control but know you have to work hard to win. You have to push through, everyone is suffering. You need to go full throttle and load the gun." Nys began his season with a stunning win at the Tour of Romandie, and now he has already notched up eight victories this year.

Nys's performances are causing a stir in the cycling world, but father Sven has long known about his son's talent. With it now coming to the fore, he believes "the sky is the limit." "Thibau still has a lot to learn, but on these types of finishes, he's truly top-notch," he told Het Laatste Nieuws. While Nys Jr. is still figuring out his strengths and weaknesses, such as wanting to improve in time trials, his father sees a clear profile emerging. "In the high mountains, Thibau can't match Jonas Vingegaard, but as a puncher, he's more explosive and deserves to be counted among the big names. In that sense, it's no surprise to me that he can beat Vingegaard."

The Danish superstar may be out of reach for Nys in a high mountain climb, but what about Tadej Pogacar? Is he beatable? "You can't say for sure, as he hasn't done it yet. Maybe he'll come close," the cross legend remains realistic.

Thibau certainly has the right genes: Father Sven was a two-time world cyclo-cross champion and won the Superprestige series thirteen times. But beyond inherited talent, Nys's mindset is also spot on. "I think it has something to do with Thibau being truly obsessed with his craft. He's involved from morning till night. He completely analyzed the roadbook for Poland last week. In every stage, he looks for where his chances lie."

The Lidl-Trek rider also conducts extensive research from home, which is now paying off. "Thibau watches a lot of racing on TV. He did this when he was young too. We would rewatch my races and look for what was good and what wasn't. But he also analyzed the major classics and grand tours. I often sat next to him on the couch thinking, "He saw that well." I don't think growing up in a cycling family is a disadvantage. If you hear about the race for 21 years, you learn something."