Reigning under-23 cyclocross world champion Tibau Nys is preparing for a year of stage races to find himself as a road rider.

The 21-year-old, who won the Flèche du Sud five-day stage race in the Netherlands last season, will have a road season filled with short, multi-day races this season.

Nys, who ended his cyclocross season shortly after winning the age-group world championship, will have to wait until next season to wear the rainbow band in the field. The young Belgian became a Trek-Segafredo stager last summer and is now developing as a road rider and preparing for the road season in which he finds himself.

"I'm taking a small break of a week and a half to prepare for the road season, a lot of short stage races, about a week, nothing special. [I want to grow, develop, and get stronger as a rider. Everything is step by step, moment by moment."

The former European U23 road champion will begin his road campaign with two classic races, starting with Nokele Coase on March 13 and GP Denain the following day.

He will then compete in stage races for the remainder of the season, with the most prestigious race on his provisional calendar being the Tour of Romandie in April. Other stage races include the Tour of Norway, the Tour of the Baloise Belgians, and the Tour of Wallonie.

"We still need to see what type of rider he will develop into. Will he be a week-long stage racer, a puncher, or a sprinter? I'm a little unsure yet. Will I be a classic rider? I want to have a good time and grow step by step.

"Nokere Coase is one of the two classics I will be competing in, and then it will be filled with stage races. I want to help the team as much as possible. I'm not going to enter the race to try to win or be the leader of the pack."

"I just want to help the team and lead everyone. I want to learn a lot in Romandie to get stronger."

Nys, like Mathieu Van der Poel, Wout Van Aert, and Tom Pidcock, will combine his road racing and cyclocross calendar.

"Both for now, we'll see what happens in the next few years," Nys added. 'I don't have a favorite. Wherever possible, we will try to combine both."

Nys' father, Sven, is a two-time elite cyclocross world champion with a legendary career that includes 253 victories. After watching his father miss out on the world cross title several times, and even finish on the podium seven times at the world championships, Nys learned just how difficult it is to win an elite title.

"It's the ultimate dream, the hardest dream," he said. I have this one now and I intend to enjoy it."

Nys was named the favorite to win the U23 World Championships in Hoogerheide on Saturday, increasing the pressure on the youngster. He was kept pressed by Tibor Del Grosso of the Netherlands and Belgium's Witse Miesen and Joran Weiseure.

Nys' margin over the three chasers fluctuated throughout the race, with the Belgian eventually enjoying victory on the final stage, reducing the margin of victory to four seconds.

"It was like a yo-yo effect for me," Nys added after celebrating his victory with his father Sven and friends who had made the short trip from Belgium to the Netherlands. [33] "I felt like I had it under control, and then the gap went from 25 seconds, to 5 seconds, to 15 seconds, to 20 seconds. [33 seconds, 5 seconds, 15 seconds, 20 seconds ...... and it changed. I tried to run at my own pace and keep the pressure high.

"On the last lap, it was like a weight had been lifted off my shoulders. It feels great to win in this kind of atmosphere and on this kind of track. It feels great to win in this kind of atmosphere and on this kind of track. I was in control of the whole race and to finish such a long solo run is a dream come true. It's perfect."