Fresh start beckons for 30 year old Belgian
Citing team dynamics as a factor that could make a big difference in 2011, Nick Nuyens has outlined his main targets for the season. The Belgian, who was once regarded as an equal to Tom Boonen, is yet to deliver his full promise. However he hopes that moving to Saxo Bank-SunGard will help him turn things right around.
“My big objectives are still going to be the spring classics with Ronde van Vlaandern and Amstel Gold Race on the top of my list,” he stated, “but I’m very aware that you don’t win races on your own. Saxo Bank-SunGard is widely known for its team spirit and I’m sure this is where I could feel right at home.
“Now I’m really looking forward to meeting my new teammates, the staff and the great supporters of the team.”
Nuyens has competed for the past two seasons with the Rabobank team. He hasn’t got much to show for that period of time, taking results such as first in the GP Wallonie and stage five of the Tour of Austria, yet failing to shine in the Classics.
The performances are in contrast to those of his younger career, where he won major races such as Paris Brussels, the Omloop Het Volk, The Tour of Britain and Kuurne–Brussels–Kuurne before turning 26. Those results heightened expectations for the-then Quick Step rider, and he earned a good contract with Cofidis for 2007 and 2008.
Nuyens clocked up some good results there, including second places in both the Tour of Flanders and the Omloop Het Volk in year two.
So far, so good. When Rabobank came calling, he moved with the expectation that he would continue his progression. However things didn’t work out as well as he hoped and now, at 30 years of age, he knows that he has to get back on track.
“First of all, I’m grateful that a big personality like Bjarne Riis recognizes my potential and wants to work with my talent,” he said. “The past two years of my career haven’t been the best but with this unique chance at Saxo Bank-SunGard, I have an opportunity to become stronger than ever.”
Nuyens is likely to play a very important role. Classics specialists Fabian Cancellara and Matti Breschel are both leaving the team, leaving a void that has to be filled. Nuyens should therefore find himself with solid team backing in the big one-day events. If he can regain his top form, he could yet deliver on the potential that earned him the under 23 Tour of Flanders way back in 2002.