Joris Nieuwenhuis Claims Dominant Win at Rapencross; Thibau Nys Has Frustrating Day

Joris Nieuwenhuis won the second round of the X20 Badkamers Trofee with the Rapencross. The Ridley Racing Team rider shook off his major rival Michael Vanthourenhout in Lokeren. Thibau Nys had an unfortunate day. He suffered mechanical problems and fell several times, which meant, much to his own frustration, he played no significant role in the race. 

One day after Nys's dominant victory on the Koppenberg, the eyes were once again on the European champion on Sunday. However, Nys experienced considerable mechanical issues in the opening phase and was seen changing bikes multiple times, while angrily fiddling with his shifters, causing the win to slip out of reach after just a few laps, with him hovering around twelfth place.

The start was taken by Niels Vandeputte, who quickly took the lead ahead of Michael Vanthourenhout and Laurens Sweeck. The latter went off track already in the second lap, after which Vanthourenhout and Vandeputte rode together. Gradually, Nieuwenhuis also worked his way forward, leaving three contenders for the win in Lokeren.

🚵🇧🇪 | Something is definitely wrong with Thibau Nys today, but nothing is going right... 😳😳 #cyclocross

📺 Stream the race on HBO Max pic.twitter.com/QW1wWyAAaI

— Eurosport Nederland (@Eurosport_NL) November 2, 2025

Dominant victory for Nieuwenhuis
After a slip by Vandeputte, Nieuwenhuis decided to accelerate halfway through the race. Vanthourenhout was unable to follow, allowing Nieuwenhuis to begin a solo effort for the final laps. The Dutch rider maintained very consistent lap times – despite a slight slip with one and a half laps to go – and in the closing laps, he even extended his lead over Vanthourenhout to twenty seconds.

The first and second places were thus secured, while Vandeputte engaged in a fierce battle for the last podium spot with Emiel Verstrynge, Laurens Sweeck, and Jente Michels in the background. Vandeputte ultimately won this fight, joining Nieuwenhuis and Vanthourenhout on the podium.

And Nys? He had the ultimate bad day. Although the Belgian briefly moved up to eighth place, he crashed several more times near the end of the race. He did not even finish in the top ten.