Face of Flanders: Sven Nys

He has won countless baubles in chaotic scrambles through the grime, mostly in the uniquely thick, muddy forest and fields of Flanders. He still starts virtually every cyclo-cross race as the favourite and has appeared on podiums so often that it often seems like this is more of a natural habitat than his own saddle.

Yet, this weekend, it comes to an end. In a two-day cycling event at the 23,000-seater Sportpaleis called Merci Sven, he brings the curtain down on his extraordinary career. At the age of 39, he says he’s had enough of the relentless demands of the sport. (Although, given that he rescinded a previous plan to hang up his cycling shoes in 2014, it might be worth checking back this time next year.)

Nys is known as the Cannibal from Baal, or simply the General. His roster of glory includes seven World Cups, 46 World Cup races, nine Belgian national championships, three national mountain bike titles and over 150 competitive victories. Surprisingly, he holds “only” two world championship titles (Sankt Wendel, Germany in 2005 and Louisville, Kentucky in 2013).

Cyclo-cross is a twisted, Bizarro version of classic cycling: Riders force their light mountain bikes through thick mud, and when the hills become too steep and the mud too heavy, they dismount and carry their bikes on their shoulders.

Flanders looms over the sport – 14 of the 23 World Cup winners have been from the region – and Nys now leaves the field to fellow Flemings like Kevin Pauwels, Bart Aernouts, Klaas Vantornout, Rob Peeters and Bart Wellens.

Nys began racing BMX bikes at the age of eight, winning eight national titles before switching to cyclo-cross, where he turned professional in 1998. He won everything there was to win in the sport and more, claiming the Belgian Sports Personality of the Year in 2006.

He will remain in cycling as manager of the Telenet-Fidea team and will incorporate the professional team and different development squads with the Sven Nys Cycling Center, an off-road cycling experience centre he plans to open soon in Baal, near his home.

Last week, after his final race, Nys was still saying his goodbyes, tweeting: “Thanks everyone for all these messages all those fine words all those images and all those warm hugs.” \ Leo Cendrowicz

Photo: Tim Regan / Wikimedia Commons