Thibau Nys on why he's preparing for the Giro, skipping the classics and having a connection with the Dutch

Thibau Nys is currently still heavily focused on cyclo-cross, but the 21-year-old Belgian has never made a secret of the fact that after a final full cyclo-cross winter, his focus will shift more towards road cycling. During the training camp of Lidl-Trek in Calpe, IDLProCycling.com spoke extensively with Nys, who, in addition to his statements about his back issues and about cyclo-cross, also discussed his upcoming road adventure.

Nys, who will return to cyclo-cross on December 23, has been in Calpe since his last cyclo-cross race in Flamanville. There, two weeks of training await him, aimed at getting an extra boost and establishing a broader base for the upcoming road season. While he wears a Baloise Trek Lions jersey in cyclo-cross, he will be part of Lidl-Trek on the road in 2024.

Thibau Nys calls Lidl-Trek "the team where I belong"

He recently renewed his contract through to the end of 2026, a move that demonstrates a strong, mutual belief in what the future holds. This extension is hugely significant for Nys, who expresses his contentment with Lidl-Trek. "Having a bigger budget thanks to Lidl is fantastic. I truly feel at home with this team, and the cyclocross aspect is a big part of that. They get me – they understand my ambitions, my strengths, and my boundaries. They're really committed to crafting an ideal plan for me, which includes the right balance of races, training, and recovery time."

This success didn't just come out of nowhere. Back in 2021, when Nys began road cycling with Trek, he quickly clinched the European Championship title, secured a runner-up spot in the Belgian Championship, and grabbed sixth place in the World Championship, all in the under-23 category. His momentum continued in 2022 with a third-place finish in the Antwerp Port Epic, a victory in the Flèche du Sud through a stage win, and notable performances in the Ethias Tour de Wallonie and more. Last season, he stepped up to the elite level, bagging a stage win in the Tour of Norway, triumphing in the GP des Kantons Aargau, and impressing in the Baloise Belgium Tour. It's a testament to the idea that effort yields rewards. "I doubt many other teams would offer the kind of support I get here. I’m truly thankful for that. It’s a space where I can absorb so much from the top riders, grow steadily, and yet have real chances to clinch race victories. That’s something special."

Read more below the photo.

Giro d'Italia preparation, but perhaps no Giro for Nys

So, what’s in store for 2024 with this mutual trust? Well, the full picture isn't quite clear yet. Sven Nys, Thibau's father, hinted in a recent interview that his son has the liberty to participate in a grand tour. Thibau nods in agreement, mentioning, "The Vuelta might be the ideal choice based on the race itself, but it complicates the transition to the new cyclo-cross season."

"The best thing for me would be the Giro, I think," continues Nys Jr., who already knows what to do when his cyclo-cross season ends in February after the World Championships in Tabor. "I'm going to do the full Giro preparation with all the guys from the team. I'm going on a high-altitude training camp and will start my first road race in Romandie." The Tour of Romandie is scheduled for April 24 in Switzerland. "That's close to the Giro, but if I'm in good shape, I might be able to drop out early to go to Italy."

In the months leading up to it, Nys plans to invest heavily in himself by training hard with the Giro team from Lidl-Trek. This includes teammates like team leader Giulio Ciccone, sprinter Jonathan Milan, and fellow countryman Jasper Stuyven. "If during the training camps, whether at altitude or in Romandie, we get the indication that I could really make a difference in the Giro - for the team or for myself - then it's possible I'll start. If not, it's no big deal. Aside from the Giro, I can still have a great program where I could potentially excel in literally every race. Hungary, Norway (like last year)... And Frankfurt is in the mix too."

Read more below the photo.

No classics spring season with Lidl-Trek yet

For those keeping track, April 24th comes after the spring classics. This means the Italian, Flemish, and Ardennes classics won't be on Nys's calendar for 2024. "I won't be participating in the classics this spring, but perhaps next year," he shares with optimism. "I have a particular fondness for the Ardennes classics, even though I'm deeply attached to the Flemish ones. I feel my strengths align more with the Ardennes style than Flanders. And while Tadej Pogacar did win The Tour of Flanders, well, that's partly a matter of genetics."

Genetics-wise, Thibau himself has little to complain about. As the son of one of the best Belgian cyclo-cross riders ever, cycling talent seems to come naturally to him. And like his father Sven, he's also got a good head on his shoulders. Straightforward, clear about what he wants, somewhat of a Dutch streak in that sense. It's no wonder that at Baloise Trek Lions, he has a bunch of Dutch teammates he considers friends. "How did that happen? I have no idea. Maybe it's just a coincidence? I sometimes have to remind myself that my girlfriend is from the Netherlands. I never really think about it. I get along really well with the Dutch; they are all great guys. I'm not sure if there's more to it."

With Bauke Mollema, Daan Hoole, Sam Oomen, and team director Steven de Jongh, Nys certainly has no shortage of Dutch colleagues on the road. He sees this as a nice bonus. "A Dutch person tends to be much more direct compared to a Belgian, and I really like that. No beating around the bush, but instead speaking plainly. I appreciate that."