Thibau Nys and sand: it’s not a happy marriage, but in the X2O Cross of Hofstade, he still showed his best side. The Belgian champion just missed the podium, but after his fourth place, there is plenty of reason for optimism.
Afterwards, Nys looked back on the sand race with, among others, WielerFlits. “I felt I had control in the group, but due to two falters, I was always pushed back to the limit. I thought I could still turn it around in the finale, but Niels (Vandeputte, ed.) was faster in the sprint.”
Area for improvement
And so, Nys had mixed feelings. “I really wanted to be on the podium. Then I would have been satisfied. Now it’s a bit bittersweet, but I think I was physically really okay. Sand remains a work point, though it is a step forward compared to the race in Antwerp. Is it frustrating? Yes, but you shouldn’t cry over it. It’s the reality, and we will work on it.”
In the World Cup in Antwerp, Nys struggled with back pain. How did he feel today? “In Antwerp, I was so cramped on the bike that everything started to hurt. I felt nothing of that today. That is a very positive sign.”
photo: Fotopersburo Cor Vos
“I also don’t think it was really a back problem, but I was trying to get power wherever I could find it, and then everything hurt. I was very cramped on my bike in Antwerp.”
Nys is now preparing for the races in Heusden-Zolder (December 23) and Gavere (December 26). Does he expect a different race dynamic in these cyclo-cross events? “Well, I don’t know... I think so. There’s no sand, which is already a bit more positive for me. I’m curious how my legs will feel tomorrow, because I really suffered today.”
X²O Badkamers Trofee - Hofstade Plage Cross| Rank | Rider | Time |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 58:53 | |
| 2 | + 48 | |
| 3 | + 01:02 | |
| 4 | + 01:03 | |
| 5 | + 01:05 | |
| 6 | + 01:07 | |
| 7 | + 01:11 | |
| 8 | + 01:13 | |
| 9 | + 01:56 | |
| 10 | + 02:09 |
