"Pressure? What pressure?" Nys pulls a 'Cole Palmer' as dad Sven and girlfriend Anna celebrate joyously
Cyclocross
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Follow us on GoogleWhen it matters most, Thibau Nys delivers — that’s been the hallmark of his performances this winter. Following his commanding victory at the European Championships in Pontevedra in Spain, the 22-year-old Baloise Glowi Lions rider once again came out on top on Sunday, this time at the Belgian National Championships in Heusden-Zolder. His father, Sven, watched proudly as an analyst, while Thibau’s Dutch girlfriend, Anna Eikendal, was waiting for him at the finish line. The result? A massive celebration for the Nys family.
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Exactly 25 years after Sven Nys won his first title, his son now claims his first black, yellow, and red jersey. While Sven had to stay composed as a Sporza analyst, his pride was unmistakable. "This is very hard to put into words," he said. "I’ve experienced moments like this myself, but it doesn’t compare to seeing your own son achieve it. We share the same passion and share joy and sorrow together. So you really cherish a moment like this. Is this more special than winning a title myself? I don’t even doubt that for a second."
Girlfriend Anna Eikendal was perhaps the most euphoric person on the entire circuit, jumping for joy after her boyfriend’s victory. "I’m super, super, super proud. There are no words," she said. "I was incredibly stressed today, but he pulled it off, so it was all worth it." Nys secured the title by shaking off Laurens Sweeck in the penultimate lap, relegating the Crelan-Corendon rider to second place.
Read more below the photo!
Palmer, Bellingham, Saka, Toney, Trent ... And Nys
The newly crowned Belgian champion is mentally strong and handles pressure like no one else. On Instagram, he even referenced the UEFA European Championships, where English soccer players faced immense pressure. "Pressure? What pressure?" Nys wrote after his win. "He wasn’t nervous until about an hour before the race," Eikendal shared. "He knows how to handle it so well, though that was a bit less the case for the people around him!"
Before the race, the European champion admitted he wished he had won more cyclo-cross races this season. While the Belgian title was a goal, he didn’t want to be known as just a championship racer. However, once he arrived at the venue, his mindset shifted. "It was definitely on his mind. After the course reconnaissance, he only became more eager to win. On the days that matter, he shows up. That’s been the hallmark of his season. He delivers — nothing more, nothing less."
This marks the 10th national title for someone with the surname Nys, a fitting reason for a proper celebration. The party started, albeit modestly, right after the finish. "I’m always the one who brings the post-race treats," Eikendal laughed. The real celebration, however, took place Sunday evening at Nys’ home base. "I think we’ll have a little party in Baal (in Belgium, ed.) tonight. Celebrating a Belgian title on the Balenberg — there’s nothing better!"
Bram van der PloegEditor-in-chief
Bram van der Ploeg (35) is the proud founder of In de Leiderstrui, IDL Pro Cycling's parent site, launched in 2018. Finally, he could create stories about the sport he had followed since childhood. He is the editor-in-chief on paper, but prefers to be with his recorder next to a rider, a team bus, or in the mud at a cyclocross race. Every year, from February to the end of May, Bram follows the entire Italian cycling season, from the Trofeo Laigueglia to the Giro d'Italia, with the grand finale in October in Lombardy. During that time, he lives in Tuscany, where he has since come to call Italy his 'home'.
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Latest Comments
- - I’m still learning how cyclocross works: when he says he messed up the start at the Europeans, can a bad start really make that much difference?patriciaw14-11-2026
- - Love that he’s honest about the pressure. Hopefully he can carry this form through the winter.lindae14-11-2026
- - Beating different competition is the key now. Nys is already in the mix, and Van der Poel could make the next step a much tougher one.jennifer1914-11-2026
- - About time—Mason’s been knocking on the door for years. That Niel win could really open things up for him.cadencekingm14-11-2026
- I’m still learning how cyclocross works—does leading the Superprestige mean Mason is top of that race series, rather than the World Cup? Either way, winning in Belgium sounds like a massive result.cadencekingm13-11-2026
- Calling Onley a contender for an overall Tour win already feels a bit premature, especially after the injury setbacks. Still, the depth of talent is exciting.robert6513-11-2026
- Great to see Dickson’s route from triathlon to the WorldTour getting recognition. Scottish cycling has plenty to be proud of, and the 2027 Grand Départ could give the next generation a real lift.patriciaw13-11-2026
- The article makes a good case for clubs and small teams doing the groundwork, rather than one big development pipeline. Thornley’s Vuelta time trials were seriously impressive too; missing a stage win by two seconds is brutal.davidm13-11-2026
- Mason winning in Niel is huge—beating that kind of Belgian field in the mud takes serious class. The Kelvingrove World Cup could be an unforgettable homecoming.breakawaybikerd13-11-2026
- I’m not sure how WorldTour licences work—could these reports affect whether the team gets one next year, or is that decision based on other criteria?velodromevirtuoso113-11-2026