An all-Belgian podium at the European cyclocross championships as Nys holds off Wyseure and Vandeputte

Thibau Nys became elite European cyclocross champion in Zeddam in the Netherlands on Sunday. According to Sporza's results, he finished nine laps 7 seconds ahead of Joran Wyseure. Niels Vandeputte was third at 19 seconds, beating Dutchman Joris Nieuwenhuis in the sprint for bronze. NOS reports that Nys takes over the title from Toon Aerts, who could not start because of a knee injury, and that it is his second European title after the one he won in 2024.

Nys did not start well. According to In de Leiderstrui, he and Michael Vanthourenhout were chasing after the first lap while a large leading group rode away. Nys changed bikes early because he was unhappy with his tyre choice, NOS reports, and then worked his way forward. Wyseure and Swiss rider Kevin Kuhn joined him, but Kuhn was dropped on the seventh lap.

The race was decided on the final lap on the 99-step staircase. Nys opened a small gap on Wyseure there and held it safely to the line. Behind the podium, Kuhn was fifth and Briton Cameron Mason, who had a long way to come back, finished sixth. Jente Michels was eighth. According to In de Leiderstrui, Vanthourenhout had a chain problem, and Sporza lists him in 22nd place. Belgium ends the championships with eight medals.