<\/p>\n
That single question frames everything. Thibau\u2019s growth is steady. But the window for dominating cyclocross may only truly open when Van der Poel finally closes his.<\/p>\n
From prodigy to elite contenderThibau Nys<\/a> is not a late bloomer. His rise has been years in the making.<\/p>\n He announced himself early by winning the junior world title in 2020, then continued his development through the under-23 ranks before stepping fully into the elite category. Riding in cyclocross for Baloise Glowi Lions, he has gradually turned potential into results, moving from flashes of brilliance to real consistency at the top level.<\/p>\n Last winter he took a major step by winning the Belgian national title, becoming champion in the country where that jersey carries more weight than almost anywhere else in the sport. That win was not a one-off. It came after a season of regular podiums and victories in top level races, confirming that he was no longer just \u201cSven\u2019s son\u201d but a genuine elite rider in his own right.<\/p>\n This current 2025-2026 winter has underlined that shift. Nys has already won multiple big races, including high profile World Cup rounds and major Christmas period classics, and has been a constant presence at the front of the sport\u2019s biggest events. Even when crashes or technical problems have knocked him out of contention, he has shown he belongs in the lead group on form alone.<\/p>\n That context matters when Sven Nys<\/a> asks his question. This is not about a rider who might one day be good enough. This is about a rider who already is, and is still getting better.Chasing the best everThibau Nys<\/a> has been getting closer to the very top, but not close enough yet. \u201cNys has tickled him a few times in recent weeks, but keeping the phenomenon under control has not yet worked,\u201d coach Paul Van Den Bosch told HLN. \u201cThe next step, then. Even if it is a giant one.\u201d<\/p>\n Van Den Bosch does not hide the scale of the challenge. \u201cBut that is against probably the best cyclocross rider of all time. Who can also be counted among the three best road riders in the world.\u201d<\/p>\n Sven Nys<\/a> also points to the physical mismatch. \u201cNot easy, as a 23-year-old of 64-65 kilograms, to beat a lump of pure power who is eight years older and at least ten kilos heavier,\u201d he said. \u201cThat does not have to happen for us yet. Again: we are focused on the long term. Step by step. Cyclocross rider Thibau Nys<\/a> is neatly on schedule. For heaven\u2019s sake, give him time.\u201d<\/p>\n The message is clear. Beating Van der Poel is not the benchmark today. Being ready when the moment finally comes is.<\/p>\n Waiting for the windowSven Nys<\/a> openly accepts that the real opening may come from the other side. \u201cOf course it would be nice if we could enjoy a few more years of duels between them,\u201d he said. \u201cIn which Van der Poel sometimes has to pull out his extra bag of tricks to beat Thibau. Or\u2026 maybe lose to him once.\u201d<\/p>\n He even believes there have already been signs. \u201cAlthough: in Namur I was, unlike in Gavere, convinced that Thibau was not yet on the limit when he made his mistake.\u201d<\/p>\n Van Den Bosch confirmed that Thibau himself felt he had more to give. \u201cAfterwards he referred to a successful training session on camp, where he blasted up a climb ten times in a row at full gas, each time with two minutes\u2019 recovery in between. \u2018I should have dared to apply that in the race!\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n These are not excuses. They are signs of a rider still discovering how hard he can really go.<\/p>\n That learning process is happening against a backdrop of results that already stack up. World Cup wins this winter, victories in some of the sport\u2019s most iconic races, and the Belgian champion\u2019s jersey on his back have all come before his 24th birthday. Very few riders in modern cyclocross can match that record at the same age.<\/p>\n Long term before shortcuts<\/p>\n Both father and coach keep returning to the same principle. \u201cOverall, the balance is excellent,\u201d Van Den Bosch said. \u201cThibau always sets his personal bar very high. Maybe he sometimes feels he is still dipping under it. That is allowed. But Sven and I keep the long term in mind. That is what matters.\u201d<\/p>\n