Former winner of Ronde Van Vlaanderen Nick Nuyens says there is a 50 % chance that he will continue in the peloton next season. In an interview with Sporza, he talks about his chances and his plan B in case of him ending up without a contract.

Nick Nuyens himself has no doubts at all. He still thinks he has the level to ride at the pro level.

"I think I still can have a place in a squad, but if it ends up with nothing, I will not fall into a black hole," said Nuyens to Sporza.

He confirms the rumours about him being in contact with a Pro Conti team, but he refused to reveal the identity. "I am currently still in contact with one Pro Continental team."

According to him, his previous level is a bit of a disadvantage due to the fact that many teams only want to sign him if he can again be acontender. He admits that he has been unable to reach his former lofty heights in recent years.

“My reputation gives me a bit of a disadvantage as many teams want me on my former level. But I know that the last two years haven’t been that good for me though.                       

“I still have the desire to return to a better level. I still think that I can have a spot at the highest level,” said Nuyens to Sporza.

“I will prefer to ride in a team which can give me a nice programme. The level doesn’t matter to me. We’ll have to get on the same line, so we have to discuss the finances.”

Nuyens has always had a plan B. He is the proud owner of a grocery store in Testelt, a small Belgian town in Flanders.

“I don’t have that much time left to find a team. I would like to have it solved in the next couple of days. But maybe a new life will start for me. There is a 50 % chance for me being a rider next season. Thanks to my supermarket I can still be in the real world.

“I have always had a plan B to fall back on,” he said, “I have had my own grocery store in Testelt for a while.”

"That fascinates me. It's a totally different world than cycling. I've always needed that kind of distraction. So I can stay with my feet in the real world."

Nuyens has been riding for a lot of big teams likeRabobank, QuickStep, Cofidis, Garmin and Saxo Bank. Where and if he will be riding next year will soon be decided as we are getting closer to the start of the season.