"I could lose 35% of my lung capacity" - Jasper de Buyst on health scare from Covid-19

Jasper de Buyst is a rider that over the years has proven himself fully on the road and track, but he faces a challenge that is perhaps the biggest in his career. After suffering from Covid-19, the Lotto rider is going through health complications to this day that continue to directly prevent him from performing like in the past.

"I struggled with a lot of health problems in 2024. It turned out afterwards that I had developed post-covid asthma. Certain tests showed that I could lose 35% of my lung capacity," de Buyst shared with Sporza. "That is quite extreme, but it does not have to mean the end of my career".

"I have to take inhalers every day like any other asthma patient. Of course I am not the only rider in the peloton with asthma. But it is something that has been added and we are now busy looking for the right dosage".

De Buyst has had to adapt to a new routine after his Covid-19 infection which has limited his lung capacity significantly, something that in an endurance sport is absolutely crucial. At the time being he is working on managing it, but his lack of results in 2024 were a very worrying sign. He's raced the whole season but whereas before he was ocasionally a leader, usually a luxury domestique in the Belgian team, he wasn't quite up to it this past year.

But despite the obstacles, the 31-year old is looking to improve after a difficult year and get back to his best level at the spring classics and Tour de France later this year. "I will normally ride the classics again, mainly in the service of Arnaud De Lie. I want to support him for as long as possible. Unlike last year, I will most likely ride the Tour. Last year I was not there because my daughter was born then".