Bart Wellens sees remarkably more crossers with back problems: “Take painkillers every day, I would never do that again”

Eli Iserbyt (25), Mathieu van der Poel (27), Thibau Nys (20): a striking number of crossers are struggling with their backs this year. For the rider – bent over the handlebars – one of the most difficult injuries to deal with. Experience experts testify about races with chronic back pain: “It is a never-ending street.”