Two out of two for Nys in Flamanville

After Tábor, Thibau Nys has also won the second World Cup round of the season. A mistake by Nieuwenhuis opened the door for the Belgian to launch a solo effort lasting several laps.

The lights turned green in Flamanville, much to the surprise of Joris Nieuwenhuis (Ridley Racing Team). The Dutch rider completely missed his start but, to everyone’s amazement, quickly moved back to the front. What’s more, he delivered the first real acceleration in the second lap. World Cup leader Thibau Nys (Baloise Glowi Lions) sensed the danger and immediately jumped onto his wheel.

In the early phase, the two showed they were the strongest riders in the race, but when they briefly hesitated and looked at each other, Niels Vandeputte (Alpecin–Deceuninck Development Team) and Lars van der Haar (Baloise Glowi Lions) managed to rejoin. At the start of the fourth of nine laps, the quartet held around ten seconds over a large chasing group.

Baloise Glowi Lions had two riders in front and used that situation wisely. Nys allowed Van der Haar to ride away, forcing Nieuwenhuis to take responsibility in the chase. The Dutchman brought his compatriot back, while Vandeputte had to let go at the front. The Belgian was joined by Cameron Mason (Seven Racing) and not long after by Nys, who had lost the lead group due to mechanical issues.

After Nys’s setback, Nieuwenhuis and Van der Haar watched each other, allowing Nys to return on Mason’s wheel. The four entered the final quarter of the race together. Nys moved to the front, prompting Nieuwenhuis to slip and stop with mechanical problems.

Just as in Tábor, Nys launched a solo following Nieuwenhuis’s misfortune and once again he finished it off successfully. In the battle for second place, Lars van der Haar beat Cameron Mason.