An unbeatable Nys takes the stage at Tour de Suisse

The young Belgian won the third stage with a splendid puncheur performance that left no room for his rivals

Today’s win was a special success for Thibau Nys. So much so, that before jumping onto the podium, as the adrenaline following his superb sprint began to wane, the Belgian talent of Lidl-Trek allowed himself a liberating cry.

I had a perfect start to the season, going way better than I expected, but then I crashed in Gippingen, yesterday I was feeling shit, and then as a pro athlete, those small moments make you a little less confident and you start to think about what could go wrong and not feel so good. To finish it off, at WorldTour level at the Tour de Suisse, it’s a dream - Thibau Nys

The scream of Thibau in Ruschlikon (©GettyImages)

Nys won the third stage of the Tour de Suisse in his own way with a mixture of strength and innate class, characteristics that are becoming his trademark. Today’s stage was in his sights right from the start of the race, so much so that on Friday, after GP Kantons de Aargau, he went with team director Gregory Rast to see the finish.

It was perfect for him, we knew that, but turning expectations into reality is always complicated. He was great - team director Gregory Rast

All day long Nys raced safely in the group, under cover, to save energy for the finale. The last 40km would be the most difficult, the most hectic. Nys, with the precious help of his teammates, kept a cool head and the ideal position. The home idol Marc Hirschi (UAE) was the one who came closest to spoiling the party, with a powerful attack caught only in the last kilometer. Then, Thibau’s talent and will to win emerged. With a strong move through the peloton, he took the lead and, in the last 100 metres, made himself unbeatable.

Nys’ number of victories in 2024 now rises to six, with five stages and the final classification of the Tour of Hongrie. And thanks to today’s win, the trend of a victory in every stage race continues!

Nys has been well protected by his teammates till the right moment (©GettyImages)

Thibau’s reaction

Yesterday I was struggling a lot, today as well. I was not feeling good on the bike and had a bit of an annoying feeling all day, but the guys pulled me through it. Until like 50km to go I didn’t believe in it but I just kept fighting and the legs started to get better and better. In the end it started to get easier and everything was working out. I’m out of words for the work of my teammates. To finish it off like this, it’s more than a dream. There are a lot of emotions. It’s maybe my nicest victory ever. I’m over the moon.

I cannot thank the Team enough today. We are here for GC with Mattias and to be able to get a chance in this Team for stages like this is already such an honor. I feel so happy for the Team to give them something back. Now it’s all in for the GC for Mattias. I would love to pull the rest of the week.

I think I’m in the right team to grow, with the right people next to me, a lot of experienced riders. I still remember my first race with the Team as a stagiaire, sharing a room with Julien [Bernard]. It’s from those guys that you learn everything, it’s incredible to take these steps and see myself grow in this Team.

It also looks like I always perform in Suisse and I love to race here. Nice roads, nice parcours. I would love to keep it going in the next few years as well.