Thibau Nys shows why he is the European champion with a perfectly timed surge at the Hamme cyclocross

The Bollekescross made a comeback in the men’s race after a thirteen-year hiatus, and in Hamme-Zogge, the race was all about Thibau Nys. There, the Belgian wore the European champion’s jersey for the first time since his victory in Zeddam.

Naturally, he was also the top favourite at the start, having won the Koppenbergcross as well and thus claimed victory in every race so far.

He also started the race as the leader in the X2O standings. The start was solid, but Mees Hendrikx got off to the best start and took the lead.

The Dutch rider from BOMBA JOIN had Kevin Kühn (Heizomat-Cube), Niels Vandeputte (Alpecin-Premier Tech), Gerben Kuypers (Pauwels Sauzen - Altez), and Joris Nieuwenhuis (Heizomat-Cube) on his wheel. Nys followed behind them.

Michael Vanthourenhout (Pauwels Sauzen), Cameron Mason (777), and Joran Wyseure (Crelan-Corendon) had a somewhat difficult opening lap.

The former European champion, however, managed to fight his way to the front and took the lead. No gaps opened up on the lightning-fast course, so about fifteen riders rode in a pack.

It was a bit of a back-and-forth battle at the front, with Vandeputte taking the lead at one point, then Vanthourenhout, then Nieuwenhuis.

Nys didn’t seem to be in his element on the course in Hamme-Zogge and often left a gap. Nieuwenhuis looked strong and stretched out the field a bit. Wyseure and Vanthourenhout were right in the mix, as were Kuypers, Vandeputte, Kühn, and Nys.

He stayed in the background, but began to fight his way forward more and more in the final laps. Sixth, fifth, fourth, third... He seemed to have been biding his time.

However, it was Vanthourenhout who picked up the pace going into the final lap. Wyseure and Nys seemed to be keeping up with him, while the rest were already struggling a bit.

Wyseure and Vanthourenhout didn’t want to sprint against Nys, but the very fast Vandeputte also made a strong comeback. The slower riders had to drop back. Nys then made several mistakes but stayed on the wheel of leader Wyseure and took the lead. He pushed incredibly hard and launched his sprint from the front. Vandeputte was too far back and had to settle for second place, while Vanthourenhout finished third.

1. Thibau Nys
2. Niels Vandeputte
3. Michael Vanthourenhout
4. Joran Wyseure
5. Gerben Kuypers