Cycling has long been a theatre of fierce rivalries, where the clash of titans on two wheels defines eras. Eddy Merckx versus Felice Gimondi. Lance Armstrong and Jan Ullrich. Mathieu van der Poel and Wout van Aert. But 2024 has delivered a fresh storyline in the cycling pantheon, as Thibau Nys, the new darling of Belgian cycling, has emerged as a prodigy capable of redefining the sport. Yet, despite his meteoric rise, one name continues to loom like a shadow over his ambitions: Wout van Aert.

It’s a narrative charged with both admiration and trepidation. Nys, 21, has delivered a breakthrough season that many can only dream of, conquering the roads and the mud with astonishing ease. However, his awe-inspiring performances have also revealed a vulnerability: a deep-seated fear of being outshone by Van Aert, the towering icon of Belgian cycling.

A Breakthrough Year Like No Other

Thibau Nys, son of cyclocross legend Sven Nys, entered the 2024 season as a promising youngster seeking to carve out his identity. Few could have anticipated the scale of his success. The early season saw him achieve significant victories at the Tour de Suisse and the Tour de Romandie, traditionally dominated by seasoned world veterans. His victories weren’t just about crossing the finish line first; they showcased an incredible blend of tactical acumen, explosive power, and an unrelenting will to win.

As the road season transitioned into the cyclocross calendar, Nys carried his scintillating form into the mud, securing his first-ever Superprestige victory—a milestone that eluded even his legendary father during his illustrious career. The crowning achievement, however, came at the European Cyclocross Championships, where Nys clinched the senior title, cementing his status as a generational talent.

Yet, in every post-race interview, a pattern emerges. When the conversation turns to Wout van Aert, Nys’s voice drops an octave, his body language shifts, and his responses grow cautious. To his closest confidants, the fear is palpable: Thibau Nys is scared of Wout van Aert.

Wout van Aert: The Goliath in the Shadows

To understand Nys’s apprehension, one must first appreciate the sheer dominance of Wout van Aert. At 30 years old, Van Aert is not just a cyclist; he is a phenomenon. His résumé includes victories across all terrains—Classics, time trials, sprints, and cyclocross World Championships. In 2024, he further burnished his legacy with a dominant spring campaign and a strong showing in the Tour de France.

Van Aert’s presence is more than physical; it’s psychological. For younger Belgian riders, competing against him is akin to sparring with a living legend. Nys’s admiration for Van Aert is evident, but it’s laced with a fear of being overshadowed, of forever remaining in the shadow of a man who embodies the pinnacle of Belgian cycling.

“Wout is someone I’ve always looked up to,” Nys admitted in a recent interview. “Racing against him is an honour, but also intimidating. He’s the benchmark. You always wonder, ‘Can I ever reach his level?’”

The Cyclocross Showdown: A Battle of Eras

The cyclocross season has brought the rivalry to the forefront. While Nys’s victories have captured headlines, they’ve often come in races where Van Aert was absent or not at his peak form. When the two have clashed directly, the results have been less favourable for Nys. In the Superprestige round at Ruddervoorde, Nys led for much of the race, only to be caught and overtaken by Van Aert in the final laps—a brutal reminder of the gulf that still exists.

“I gave everything,” Nys said after the race, visibly dejected. “But Wout… he’s on another level. I have to find a way to close that gap.”

For Nys, these moments of defeat are more than just losses; they are psychological blows. Van Aert’s ability to turn the screws when it matters most highlights the experience and resilience that Nys has yet to fully develop. But in the crucible of cyclocross, such defeats also forge champions.

The Weight of Expectations

As a young Belgian cyclist, Nys carries the weight of a nation’s expectations. His father’s legacy only compounds the pressure. Sven Nys dominated cyclocross for over a decade, earning the nickname “The Cannibal of Baal.” While Thibau has already surpassed Sven in certain respects—his road victories, for instance—there’s an unspoken demand for him to become the complete package: a rider who excels in every discipline.

Van Aert has set the benchmark for such versatility. Nys is keenly aware that his career will inevitably be measured against Van Aert’s. The comparison is both flattering and suffocating.

“There’s this belief that I have to be the next Wout van Aert,” Nys said. “But I want to be Thibau Nys.”

Can Nys Conquer His Fears?

The question isn’t whether Nys has the talent to challenge Van Aert—it’s whether he has the mental fortitude to do so consistently. The 2024 season has proven that Nys can beat the best when the conditions align. What remains to be seen is whether he can rise above the fear that Van Aert represents.

Cycling is as much a mental game as it is physical. The great champions—Van Aert included—excel not just because of their legs, but because of their unshakable self-belief. Nys’s future success may depend on his ability to shed the psychological burden of Van Aert’s legacy and to view his rival not as a monster but as a motivator.

The Road Ahead

As the cyclocross season unfolds, all eyes will be on the next head-to-head battles between Nys and Van Aert. The 2024 Cyclocross World Championships in Tábor, Czech Republic, promise to be a defining moment. Can Nys dethrone Van Aert on one of the sport’s biggest stages? Or will Van Aert remind the world why he remains the king of cyclocross?

Beyond cyclocross, the rivalry is set to spill onto the roads in 2025, where Nys will aim to further establish himself as a Classics contender. The lessons learned from his battles with Van Aert in the mud will undoubtedly shape his approach on the tarmac.

For now, Thibau Nys stands at a crossroads. He is no longer just “Sven Nys’s son” or a promising young talent. He is a rider who has tasted greatness but remains haunted by the spectre of Wout van Aert. Whether he can overcome that fear will define not just his career but perhaps an entire era of Belgian cycling.

A Rivalry to Watch

Rivalries are the lifeblood of sports, and the brewing tension between Thibau Nys and Wout van Aert is cycling’s most compelling new chapter. It’s a story of youth versus experience, aspiration versus legacy, and fear versus ambition. For Nys, the road ahead is daunting, but it is also filled with opportunity. And for fans, the drama promises to be nothing short of thrilling.

In the end, perhaps Nys’s fear of Van Aert isn’t a weakness but a sign of respect. After all, even monsters can be defeated—if you dare to face them.