Belgian commentator compares European Champion favourite Thibau Nys to van der Poel and van Aert after the Koppenberg

"Sven, his father, also appreciates what Thibau did on Sunday," said Sporza commentator Herygers. "He's raced so many times, always managing to have something left in the tank at the end. It just kept getting better and better. This was, without a doubt, the best thing I've seen so far this cyclocross season."

"There was no real training to speak of, and then to really go for it on the Koppenberg—that’s something else entirely. And he’s also very strong mentally. His legs are strong; we’ve seen that. But mentally—normally, you’d be done for after hitting the ground twice. But not little Nys."

Herygers is also keeping a close eye on the men who (might) still be coming. “Normally, he should be able to go head-to-head with Van Aert in just about every cyclocross race. The only time he doesn’t make the cut is in a cross-country race—that’s when Van Aert reigns supreme. In terms of pure cyclocross technique, he has to go head-to-head with him every time. That’s a man of renown.”

"When it comes to Van der Poel, who has to race against his will, that should be possible, too. In that case, I’d say: just give him the benefit of the doubt," the former cyclocross rider continues. "I’ve protected him from that for a few years and told him: wait until the others have lost their enthusiasm or are at the end of their rope, but that’s not the case yet. With legs like these, let him just go for it."

Nys will line up in a Belgian-dominated start line for the European Championships this weekend. He is one of the top favourites, alongside Michael Vanthourenhout. Nys won in 2024.

In an interview with us, he said he had worn his bold shorts, in case it was the last time this season he raced in his national jersey, hoping to win the European one this weekend.