"I have no choice..." - Visma rider ends his season in June due to iliac artery surgery

The opening stage of the La Route d'Occitanie was won by Thibaud Gruel and in third place was Team Visma | Lease a Bike's Axel Zingle. The Frenchman did this despite a diagnosed iliac artery problem which will require surgery. This will end his season in June, with the Tour de France or even the Vuelta a España out of the equation.

Zingle was given a shot at leadership in Occitanie, one last chance to search for a win in a season that did not go his way. “There’s always room for improvement when you don’t win, I’m a little disappointed, but I only have myself to blame," Zingle said in a post-race interview with DirectVelo.

"Because I knew I had to be in the best possible position for the 600-meter turn. It got a little chaotic; we took the lead a bit too early, and then it was up to me to get into the right wheel, but I hesitated—I messed it up by not daring to put in the effort.” A flat bunch sprint is not the specialty for the classics rider, nevertheless the modest startlist allowed him to be in contention. He finished third on the day, with hopes of succeeding this Friday in a more suited stage.

“But then I made the wrong decisions myself," he continued. "Because of that, I had to start my sprint from very far back to make up ground later on. It was hard to imagine that I would win under those circumstances, even though I had a good sprint at the end. I should have believed in myself more.”

However today is likely his last chance to win this season - with Saturday's stage featuring difficult mountainous terrain. Zingle will not race in the Visma colours again this season, including the upcoming national championships.

“This is my last race- I’m having surgery I won’t be competing in the French championships, my form isn’t great anyway, so that’s it. I have to do it; I have no choice. I won’t be back this season. There’s no point; it’s better not to rush things. After all, it’s major surgery.”

Zingle will undergo an iliac artery surgery, something which has been more and more common amongst pro cyclists, and requires a lengthy recovery. Whilst it does not prevent rider from racing, it hampers their blood flow which ultimately also leads to reduced performances.

Zingle is suffering from the condition, and will try to have it fixed, in order to make a recovery and reach his best physical and mental level. “I’m trying to enjoy it despite everything. That’s why I would have loved to win: it could have helped me stay positive in the coming months, which will undoubtedly be long.”

Zingle should then put on a pin once again in 2027, his last year of contract with the Dutch team. "I still have a contract for next year, but I definitely want to do better. Of course, the team expects more from me, too. Since I joined the team, I’ve had a bit of a rough time. I need to stay focused and hope things go better next year".