Tibau Nys (Baloise Trek Lions), who had high hopes of making his first appearance in the under-23 men's race at the Belgian Cyclocross National Championships, crashed in Sunday's contest in Middle Kelke.The 2020 Belgian junior cyclocross title winner, Nys was in the top 10 of the 63-rider field when he crashed hard and was treated by doctors.

The injury near his left shoulder was a major concern, as he had broken his collarbone in a fall at a World Cup race in Waterloo, Wisconsin, in October. Surgery to repair the fracture with a plate was performed in Belgium upon his return home, and Nys returned to the podium three weeks later with a third-place finish in the X2O series at the Coppencross.

"Like the whole season, the sand sucked," Nys said. I was riding on the left side of the track to get into the corners better, but I went a little too hard and ended up in a deep hole and crashed. It was my fault. I fell completely and my back was sore

"I think this is the fifth time I've broken my collarbone because I know what it feels like. The plate] is still there. I don't know what it means because I'm not a doctor, but I think my chances of making the World Cup are very small."

A short time later, the injury was confirmed at a hospital in Herental, where team doctor Jan Mathieu took him to see specialist Toon Kress. [It's an AC subluxation, the joint that connects the clavicle to the scapula. That joint had been dislocated for some time, but no new fracture had occurred. He will have to rest for a while, but surgery is not necessary," Dr. Mathieu told "Het Laatste Nieuws."

"[The plate] must have absorbed the impact. That was his good fortune. Otherwise, he might have suffered a compound fracture of the collarbone."

The Valoise Trek Lions confirmed in a statement on social media that Nace will not require surgery, but his recovery will be closely monitored over the next week to see if he can compete in the next World Cup in Flamanville on January 16. The injury also puts his participation in the World Championships in Fayetteville, Arkansas, two weeks after Flamanville, in jeopardy.

"Tibau will not have surgery, but will be taped to aid in his recovery. Tibau will certainly be fit for an optimal recovery for the World Cup round in Flamanville. We will see how his recovery progresses over the next 10 days," the team stated.

Nys, son of cross legend Sven Nys, is the U23 leader of the X2O Trofee series, with Loenhout on December 30, GP Sven Nys at Baal on January 1, and GP Sven Nys at Herentals four days later, He has won the last three events in that order; the 2021 junior race was not held at the World Championships due to COVID-19 precautions. Two seasons earlier in his junior career, he also won the European Championships, the Super Prestige Series, and the World Cup title.

While Nys left the national championship course on Sunday for medical treatment, the U23 battle was won by 20-year-old Emiel Verstrynge (Tormans-Circus Cyclo Cross Team) with a 12-second victory over Jente Michels (Alpecin-Fenix) Joran was 16 seconds further back. Joran Wyseure (Tormans-Circus Cyclo Cross Team) took the bronze medal by another 16 seconds.