'I saved it for the last lap' – Tibor Del Grosso put pressure on Thibau Nys across final hill to secure silver in first elite appearance at Cyclo-cross World Championships

Tibor Del Grosso felt that he compelled rival Thibau Nys right into a last-lap mistake, permitting him to clinch silver from the Belgian following a race-long battle in his maiden elite UCI Cyclo-cross World Championships.

The rising star received the under-23 class over the past two years earlier than making his impression within the elite ranks this marketing campaign. On Sunday, Del Grosso performed a loyal teammate function to assist fellow countryman Mathieu van der Poel break up the race within the opening lap, earlier than his Alpecin-Premier Tech teammate rode away to an historic eighth world title.

“We actually put one another on the restrict. It made it [the silver medal] extra satisfying after a tough battle. The spectators actually preferred that there was some battle occurring,” stated Del Grosso.

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“Thibau [Nys] was on barely much less tread than me. I believe he struggled a bit of bit extra when the course bought extra slippery and I additionally knew that I needed to take some benefit out of that and hopefully power him into making a mistake. I used to be fairly blissful he did ultimately.”

It was removed from easy for Del Grosso who was put beneath extreme strain by Nys, however capitalised on errors to experience again to the Belgian. Then on the final lap, Del Grosso pressured his rival and compelled him right into a decisive error up a steep banking and claimed silver.

“There have been a number of sections the place I assumed that Thibau was a bit sooner than me and put me beneath strain. Typically I additionally felt I did not need to push all out alongside the pits and stuff as a result of I knew I may make one thing up on that uphill.

“I saved it for the final lap. I actually tried to get there first and try to power him into making a mistake.”

It has been a standout cyclo-cross season for Del Grosso, who has progressed into the elite ranks with obvious ease. The 22-year-old confirmed his expertise with a formidable dash victory at Heusden-Zolder, beating Belgian Wout van Aert in a head-to-head duel.

Del Grosso added one other win to his assortment at Diegem and clinched the elite Dutch nationwide title for a second time. He was additionally solely denied a maiden World Cup win within the last two rounds at Maasmechelen and Hoogerheide, each by Van der Poel.

“It was fairly cool to make such a step up,” he added. “I believe it proves that I belong within the high of the game. After all, I actually want to change into World Champion within the elites in the future as nicely.

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“It is fairly good to make a giant steps so quickly and be fairly shut and to be up there already as a primary 12 months [elite].”

Many have in contrast the skills of Del Grosso to that of his crew chief. Van der Poel clinched a record-breaking eighth Cyclo-cross World Championship title Sunday, along with his first coming aged 20 in Tabor in 2015. Nevertheless, the 23-year-old believes that it was an ‘unfair comparability’ to make of the 2.

“It is a praise being in comparison with Mathieu, but it surely’s a bit incomprehensible how good he,” the 22-year-old stated.

“It is also a little bit of an unfair comparability. I believe you possibly can solely disappoint if you get in comparison with somebody that nice. I don’t assume I’ll ever change into nearly as good as Mathieu, however it could be good to return near his degree.”

Del Grosso spent the 2025-2026 ‘cross season using within the elite ranks for the primary time and towards Van der Poel.

“I believe he is actually exhibiting that he is most likely the most effective cyclo-cross rider of all time. It is actually spectacular seeing him experience round, particularly being on his wheel,” Del Grosso continued.

“It is unimaginable to see how a lot energy and precision, and his approach. I understand how good he’s, however I do not begin the race to get second. Each race is a brand new likelihood to see how lengthy I can observe him. Hopefully in the future I could make it to the final lap with him.”

Throughout his first season as knowledgeable on the street with Alpecin-Premier Tech, Del Grosso received a stage within the Tour of Turkey. He’ll now take a ‘brief relaxation’ earlier than making ready for his street race season, which he says will begin on the begging of March. The teen needs to ‘be good’ within the spring Classics however isn’t positive which races he can be using.

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