Thibau Nys has been knocking on the door for a while, and today he got an answer. The 20-year-old Belgian claimed his first victory as a professional rider in the second stage of the Tour of Norway.
The whole Trek-Segafredo team rallied around Nys, starting with pulling back a strong breakaway, then positioning him into the sprint before a perfect leadout into the steep finish by compatriot Jasper Stuyven. Nys exploded from the pack and had enough time to savour the victory as he cross the finish line.
Thibau’s Reaction:
“It feels like a big relief. I’m so happy to finally get the win; I was so close a lot of times this year. The team did an amazing job to get me in the front and get me in position, keeping everyone together. Jasper (Stuyven) did a hell of a leadout to put me in the front and I knew that my finish was in the last corner, I had to be too 3 there. I felt when I accelerated that no one was able to come close.
I knew that when I came around the corner I had to give it everything immediately and try to open up a gap because I’m quite explosive on a finish like this. Then I could explode a bit on the last 50m because the gap was big enough.
I think it’s going to be difficult (to win the GC) tomorrow, but we’ll try. The last couple of days have been perfect already so we’ll just try to make a nice end of it and try to go for the stage as well. I hope I can stay like this because I’m feeling great, I’m feeling super happy in the team, I’m living a good life at the moment.”
