Thibau Nys has opened his cyclocross season with a perfect record, securing a victory at the Koppenbergcross and claiming the European championship title just one week later.
While his performances have increased the sport’s profile, the rider faces uncertainty regarding his long-term commitments to his current team structure, WielerNieuws reported.
The collaboration between the German squad Lidl-Trek and the Baloise Verzekeringen-Het Poetsbureau Lions, managed by Sven Nys, is experiencing increased pressure. Reports indicate that Lidl-Trek is moving toward a policy that discourages its road cyclists from representing separate teams during the cyclocross season.
Fleur Moors has opted to commit exclusively to Lidl-Trek, while Lucinda Brand decided to depart from the squad’s road program to ensure she could continue racing for the Baloise Verzekeringen-Het Poetsbureau Lions in the mud.
Eli Iserbyt, speaking to DPG Media, questioned the current contractual situation of Nys, noting the broader changes within the sport. “I also wonder if he has already re-signed with Lidl-Trek. I see that Lucinda Brand is going to ride for Canyon-SRAM on the road,” Iserbyt said.
Iserbyt also highlighted rumors circulating within the professional peloton regarding the German team’s stance on secondary commitments. “I have heard it whispered that Lidl-Trek no longer wants Thibau to ride for a separate team in cross,” Iserbyt told WielerNieuws. He suggested that if the team formalizes this requirement, it would force a difficult decision for the young rider, particularly given his father’s role as team manager.
The situation presents a complex challenge for the Nys family, as the conflict of interest involves both professional team mandates and the family-run Baloise Verzekeringen-Het Poetsbureau Lions setup. Iserbyt expressed doubt that the rider would easily abandon his current team affiliation to satisfy a potential demand from Lidl-Trek. “But whether they will get Thibau to that point? It seems like an issue to me,” Iserbyt said.
There has been no official confirmation regarding a change in contract status or a final ultimatum from Lidl-Trek regarding Nys’s participation in the upcoming cyclocross calendar.
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