Nys on fire in Tour of Poland: "Best feeling ever", but is also humble: "Evenepoel is in a league of his own"

Thibau Nys won the opening stage of the Tour of Poland on Monday with a powerful display. On a steep uphill finish, the revelation of this road season surged past Wilco Kelderman, who had broken away shortly before. Calmly coasting to the line, the Lidl-Trek rider was able to savor his victory.

For Nys, this marked his sixth win of the season, which only began at the end of April in the Tour de Romandie. All of his victories have come on challenging finishes or after tough stages. "In the past few months, I've proven that finishes like these suit me, and that I can perform at a top level in a strong peloton," Nys rightfully concluded afterward. "I know what it takes to win a stage like this. At the same time, it creates pressure because you know how hard it is. But once again, I found the solution—it’s incredible. If you had told me before the season that I would win a stage in every stage race I entered, I would have laughed. This is the result of years of hard work."

Belgian cycling is currently thriving, and that's an understatement. Remco Evenepoel finished on the Tour de France podium and won the Olympic double on the road. Additionally, a host of young talents are eager to debut in the WorldTour. "I’m not exactly sure why Belgian cycling is doing so well," Nys continued, avoiding comparisons with Evenepoel. "He's on a completely different level. I’m following my own path and not looking at others. Stages like today are what I’ll be focusing on in the future. I want to reach the highest level in those, and maybe even in the classics. But I’m taking it step by step, and so far, it’s going very well."

Nys is rapidly developing as a road cyclist, despite always seeing himself more as a cyclocross rider. "If you had told me five years ago that I’d be winning stages in the WorldTour, I would have looked at you puzzled," Nys admitted, amazed at his own progress. "I’m enjoying it. I’m experiencing the best of both worlds, both on the road and in cyclocross. I want to continue this path. My heart is still in cyclocross, and I’m far from done there. I want to prove myself and win more."

Nys realistic about chances for overall victory

After his stage win, Nys of course leads the general classification. However, he faces a tough challenge on Tuesday with a demanding time trial—a discipline he has yet to master. "I might be able to win a stage race like this in the future, but for now, my time trialing just isn’t good enough. I can live with that," Nys said realistically. "I’ll still do my best in the stages that suit me, and we also have Mads Pedersen here for the sprints. It’s been a great start to the week."

Nys’s earlier victories gave him a lot of confidence in the finale. "When I’m at my best, there aren’t many guys who can beat me." He then described what he considers the most beautiful feeling as an athlete. "With 300 meters to go, I felt: you’ve got this. That’s the best feeling ever. That moment right before the finish, when you know you’re going to win, is even better than the victory itself.