Covid-19 impact lingers for Ben Hermans - "I'm having trouble with anything and everything"

The previous season proved to be a trying time for Israel - Premier Tech rider Ben Hermans, and it seems that this season has not brought much relief for the Belgian rider.

The repercussions of Covid continue to affect him and this is evident in his underwhelming performance at the UAE Tour. “I got corona in February last year and nothing has worked since then. I can't recover anymore, I'm having trouble with anything and everything. I hope to be able to leave behind that difficult period here and to get a better feeling again,” he told wielerflits.

He further added, “I have no idea when I will be my old self again. Last year I thought in the summer, then in the fall… In the end it never happened. I am glad that I have already come through two rides here with a good feeling. I hope I can take a step forward here and still have a decent season.”

Participating in grand tours is not a viable option for him due to his condition, but he could potentially aim for events such as the Tour de Romandie and Settimana Coppi e Bartali in the future, provided his condition improves. “I suspect that after this I will contest the Settimana Coppi e Bartali and then the Tour de Romandie, but nothing is certain. A grand tour is out of the question anyway,” concluded Hermans.