Thibau Nys has found a boost during his time at the Vuelta a España, and it is already paying dividends in cyclocross. The Belgian claimed his second European Championship title, delivering a performance that filled his father, Sven Nys, with pride. But behind this latest triumph lies more than his natural talent for winter racing.

His experience in a Grand Tour has also helped him develop a different level of fitness, a combination that could make him an even more complete rider.

Sven Nys discussed that development after his son’s victory, speaking to Wielerflits. The former cyclocross champion believes riding the Vuelta had a positive impact on Thibau, particularly by building his physical capacity over three weeks of racing. Combined with his trademark explosiveness, that preparation gives him more ways to decide races.

Thibau Nys’s participation in the Vuelta a España was more than just another experience on his calendar. His father acknowledges that they treated the transition from the road season to cyclocross almost as an experiment, with a carefully planned recovery period before returning to winter racing.

“It must have helped, without a doubt,” Sven Nys said when asked about the Vuelta’s influence on his son’s form. “For us, it was something of an experiment: scheduling ten full days of rest immediately after the Vuelta and the World Championships left us with just three weeks to prepare for the Koppenbergcross.”

Thibau Nys is the 2026 elite men's Cyclocross European champion

The result has reinforced the idea that a Grand Tour can bring significant benefits to a cyclocross specialist, provided the effort does not lead to excessive fatigue. The endurance and fitness built over three weeks can prove an advantage when the demands of winter racing arrive.

“I think we have seen that if you do not finish a race like the Vuelta completely exhausted, you can carry that advantage straight into the cyclocross season,” his father said.

The key is combining two different qualities. Thibau Nys already has the explosive power to make the difference on cyclocross courses, but completing a Grand Tour has now given him greater physical capacity too. “Thibau naturally has that explosive power, and when you add the huge physical capacity developed over a Grand Tour, you get a complete rider: someone capable of deciding a race in its closing stages,” Sven explained.

Sven Nys moved by his son’s second European title

The continental victory was especially meaningful for the Nys family. Sven watched Thibau become European champion again, a performance that brought back memories of his own podium experiences. He valued it all the more given the challenges of the course.

“I’m very happy. It’s truly special,” he told Wielerflits cameras. The champion’s father also highlighted the responsibility of arriving at a major event as the favourite and meeting expectations with a win.

“I’ve had the privilege of standing on a podium like that many times myself, and he arrived as the clear favourite. To produce a performance like this on a course where it is far from easy... it’s a truly magnificent achievement,” he added.

For Sven, the result rewards all the work that has gone into it, though he also noted that the cyclocross calendar leaves little time to savour success. “Today’s result is a reward for all the hard work, but cyclocross is a demanding sport, isn’t it? There’s another race in seven days, and then it’s back to square one, whether you’re wearing that jersey or not.”

Road racing and cyclocross, a combination he wants to keep

Thibau Nys’s future will continue to involve both disciplines. His father does not expect him to give up cyclocross and believes combining it with road racing can be highly beneficial if managed properly.

“I’ve never had any doubts about it, and Thibau has never suggested that he plans to leave cyclocross,” Sven said. “He will continue to combine the two disciplines—it’s a powerful combination—as long as it is managed in the right way.”

The Belgian also sees his son growing more mature in the way he handles victories and the pressure of racing in the champion’s jersey. The calendar does not stop, and the next race means turning the page quickly, something Thibau seems to understand increasingly well.

“He understands that perfectly. He is also maturing in the way he handles these kinds of situations. Tomorrow it’s back to training, and then on to the next race.”

His second European title confirms his place among cyclocross’s leading specialists, but Sven Nys’s comments point to an even more interesting conclusion: road racing is not taking away from his winter form. The Vuelta experience may be helping him build on precisely the qualities that already made him special.