Organizers of the Superprestige cross in Middelkerke failed to secure a commitment from Thibau Nys for the event’s debut as an evening race on Thursday, despite efforts to lure him with a performance from his cultural idol. The race, a first for the coastal town, will feature a two-hour entertainment spectacle between the women’s and men’s races, including an appearance by Jacques Vermeire as his character DDT from FC De Kampioenen.
The decision by Nys, a fan of the show, not to attend has left organizers with a notable absence at a race designed to maximize fan experience. “The people are always looking for more experience,” event organizer Luc Verschueren told Sporza, explaining the move to an evening format similar to Diegem. “So I thought: maybe we should do something like Diegem. I called Jean-Marie Dedecker (the mayor). He wanted to jump right in.”
The Allure of DDT and a Personal Disappointment
The centerpiece of the entertainment is Vermeire’s appearance as DDT, a character deeply woven into Flemish popular culture. The choice was a deliberate nod to Nys, who has expressed his admiration for “FC De Kampioenen” and the DDT character. “And yet we got a ‘damn no’.”
Despite his personal relationship with Nys and his family, Verschueren could not convince Nys to make the trip to the Belgian coast. “I know his father and mother Nys pretty well. Yet I did not succeed in getting Thibau to the start line,” he admitted. The event marks what could be one of the final opportunities for fans to see Vermeire portray DDT in public, as the actor has announced he will stop public appearances and end his career with his last stage show, “DDT houdt uitverkoop.”
Nys Focus Shifts to European Championship
While Nys will not be in Middelkerke, his attention is firmly fixed on the upcoming European Championships in Zeddam, the Netherlands, on Sunday, November 8. His recent victory at the Koppenbergcross, where he overcame two falls to beat Michael Vanthourenhout in a finale, has solidified his status as a candidate for the European title.
“My mindset is the same as on the Koppenberg: in this phase of my career, I simply cannot be satisfied with second or third place,” Nys told Sporza. The European Championship trui holds significant value for him. “I have one already, of course, so that will have to go back in the closet for a while. But I’m certainly not going to leave a new jersey behind if I get the chance.”
Vanthourenhout Confident Despite Nys’ Dominance
Michael Vanthourenhout, also enters the EK with high confidence. The two-time European champion acknowledged Nys’ performance at the Koppenberg but is undeterred. “That’s a bit of a double-edged sword,” Vanthourenhout told our camera. “You’re always disappointed when you’re so close to winning. But second place to Thibau, I would have signed for that beforehand.”
Vanthourenhout downplayed any personal rivalry, stating, “I’m not concerned with that and I mean it. I prefer to be a bit in the shadows.” He does, however, recognize the positive impact their duels have on the sport. “I can’t get around the fact that a duel with Thibau is good for the race and for the public,” he said. Met acht sterke Belgen in de selectie, waaronder Wyseure, Vanthourenhout en Vandeputte, zal de tactiek in Zeddam doorslaggevend zijn. “We know what we have to do,” Vanthourenhout explained. “We won’t hold each other back in the final if a foreigner is with us.”
Belgian Riders Face International Competition
The Belgian contingent arrives in Zeddam with strong form, but the challenge is formidable. The last Belgian to win the European title in the women’s category was Sanne Cant in 2017. In the women’s race, Belgian hopes rest on riders like Julie Brouwers, Alicia Franck, and Sterre Vervloet, who have shown podium-level form this season, though they face competition from Inge van der Heijden and former winners Fem van Empel and Ceylin del Carmen Alvarado.
Sven Nys believes Belgium has multiple cards to play. Initially, he highlighted Joran Wyseure, Michael Vanthourenhout, and Niels Vandeputte as the strongest Belgians. However, after his son Thibau’s performance at the Koppenberg, he revised his assessment. “The Koppenbergcross had to show how good he really was after his preparation for the new cyclocross season,” Sven Nys said. “The answer came on Sunday afternoon. Despite two falls, Thibau fought his way back to the front and beat Michael Vanthourenhout in a thrilling finale. It was his third victory on the Koppenberg. With that, he has emphatically put himself forward as a candidate for the European title.”
Parcours and Strategy in Zeddam
The course in Zeddam, designed by Erwin Vervecken, presents a unique challenge. It features a staircase of 99 steps and a steep passage on the Paasberg, demanding both power and technical skill. “The jersey is the only thing that counts,” Nys stated, showing his determination. He remains unfazed by the daunting climb, noting, “I have not specifically prepared for it. I don’t think that after this championship anyone will emerge as a ‘stair-climbing specialist,’ but it is certainly a point that will take its toll conditionally.”
The weather could play a decisive role. Sven Nys warns his compatriots not to overlook the threat from Dutch riders like Joris Nieuwenhuis, who could excel in difficult conditions on the demanding course. “At tough weather, he also sees Joris Nieuwenhuis as a dangerous candidate for victory,” Sven Nys said. “The Belgian has several contenders with Vanthourenhout, Vandeputte, Wyseure and Thibau Nys, but who will ultimately be the strongest remains an open question for the time being.”
Key Questions About the European Championship
- What is the format of the Middelkerke Superprestige?
- The race will be held for the first time as an evening event on Thursday, featuring a two-hour entertainment program between the women’s and men’s competitions, including a performance by Jacques Vermeire as his character DDT.
- Why was Thibau Nys a target for the Middelkerke event?
- Organizers specifically targeted Nys because he is a fan of the TV show “FC De Kampioenen” and the character DDT, hoping his presence would be a major draw for fans.
- Who are the main Belgian contenders for the European title?
- Belgium’s strongest hopes rest on Thibau Nys and Michael Vanthourenhout, with Joran Wyseure, Niels Vandeputte, and others also considered candidates.
- What makes the Zeddam course challenging?
- The course, designed by Erwin Vervecken, includes a 99-step staircase and a steep Paasberg passage, which will test the riders’ climbing ability and conditioning.
The European Championships in cyclocross will be held this Sunday, November 8, in Zeddam, the Netherlands. The event will pit the continent’s best riders against each other on a challenging course, with the Belgian squad aiming for the title. The race is scheduled to begin at the local venue time, which should be verified closer to the event date for global audiences.
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