The world’s greatest cyclocrosser explains the extraordinary work ethic that helped him dominate one of Europe’s toughest sports and become an ambassador for the US’s only billion-dollar bike company

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McMahon: How did you become a professional cyclocrosser?

Nys: I started when I was 5 years old as a BMX kid, and I did that until I was 15. At that time in Belgium, BMX was not all that popular, and of course it was not an Olympic sport back then.

I was looking for a discipline in cycling where I could show my technique, my skills. On the road it was not easy. Then I took the decision, OK, first let’s do some BMX races, and then in the winter I’ll go and do some cyclocross races. Then I just felt it: This is what I love to do.

McMahon: You were competitive up until you retired last year, at age 40, when most cyclocross pros have long since retired. How did you stay competitive for so long?

Nys: You know, I worked during my last year even harder than in the beginning of my career. I just never felt it was enough. The pressure and the racing, maybe that was the only thing that I ever felt made me say, OK, that’s enough. But the hard training, watching your diet, trying to develop yourself, even when you’re 40, that was what I loved to do. I still love to do it today. I just love it, racing and trying to be the best.

McMahon: Was there one change you made during your career that had a significant effect on your performance?

Nys: There were a lot of things, but at one point I went too far in my diet. I felt my power was gone. My coach said to me, “You need to find a good balance.” That meant eating some more fat and finding a good combination in my diet. At one time I felt that was out of balance. Turns out I wasn’t eating enough fat. It’s like I lost my energy. We changed things up, and that helped me to stay healthy all season. I had more resistance.

Also, when I started in cyclocross, there were no training camps in the winter. I started with that, and now all the riders, they go in the middle of the season, somewhere warm, like Spain, to train at altitude.

McMahon: You were also one of the first cyclocrossers to have your own campervan.

Nys: I was. In the beginning, I was going to the showers in the locker room that was available from the event, and at a certain point I said, “Hey, when I come to the locker room, it’s always cold water.” Because [after doing postrace interviews] I was always the last guy who needed to go to the showers, and there was never any warm water left. Eventually I said, “I need to have a campervan for myself that I can shower in, that is going to help me stay healthy, that has everything around me, including my mechanics.” So, you know, it’s 5% here, 12% there, and then, step by step, you’re getting more professional.

The point is, you can always grow. Even now, you can make some small steps, which is what you need to be thinking about. Today, I’m in another position, but I can help the young guys.

McMahon: And now everyone has a campervan.

Nys: Yeah — and it’s strange if you don’t have one.