Illness Concerns Hit Belgian Cycling Team Ahead of European Championships

Remco Evenepoel dismissed health concerns in the Belgian cycling camp ahead of the European Championships, insisting he is not sick despite lingering fatigue and travel complications following the world championships in Canada.

Illness Strikes the Under-23 Roster in Canada

The health questions surfaced after the world championships in Montréal, where several Belgian riders underperformed. According to Sporza reporting, RTBF journalist Rodrigo Beenkens first suggested a virus may have impacted the squad’s form in North America. Those suspicions gained traction ahead of the European Championships when under-23 rider Lore De Schepper was forced to abandon her race early.

De Schepper described an extreme physical toll, stating she had never felt so unwell on a bicycle. I think not at the complete Belgian team, but at the U23s yes, De Schepper said regarding the spread of illness, pointing to a combination of heavy racing, travel fatigue, and jet lag as contributing factors. Teammate Fleur Moors also noted that numerous riders across various international delegations had begun wearing protective face masks in the paddock.

Elite Riders Report Mixed Health Symptoms

While the under-23 squad dealt with acute stomach and cold symptoms, elite riders offered a more mixed assessment. Lotte Claes acknowledged catching a mild cold after the world championships in Canada, telling Het Laatste Nieuws that she spent a few days resting before resuming her preparations. Claes observed that multiple national teams appeared to be affected by lingering respiratory bugs, noting that Spanish riders were spotted wearing face masks.

Conversely, senior men’s team figures sought to calm speculation. Remco Evenepoel laughed off questions regarding his own appearance when pressed by reporters about whether he looked pale. No, no… don’t start, huh, Evenepoel said, explicitly declaring that he was not sick. Staff member Serge Pauwels similarly indicated no knowledge of any active illness within the elite men’s professional camp.

Transatlantic Travel Causes Jet Lag for Belgian Riders

Even if illness has bypassed the top men’s roster, physical readiness remains a central talking point due to a compressed transatlantic travel window. The Belgian delegation’s return flight from Canada did not land until Tuesday, leaving riders with minimal recovery time before European Championship events begin.

Evenepoel acknowledged that the timing is far from ideal. With that return trip from Canada, it is short notice anyway, Evenepoel said, confirming that he experienced jet lag symptoms on Tuesday. I had to stay focused, recover, and do the training to be ready again on Sunday, he concluded.

European Championships Test Impact of Travel and Illness

The European Championships road events unfold against a backdrop of tight turnarounds and lingering fatigue from the North American trip.

Competition continues through the weekend, with elite races scheduled to test whether the travel strain and reported paddock illnesses translate into on-the-road deficits for the top contenders.