“I was back in the hospital for eight days” – Cyclocross star Eli Iserbyt suffers injury setback

Eli Iserbyt’s off-season has once again taken an unwelcome turn. The Belgian cyclocross standout, who missed part of last winter due to persistent leg trouble, is now recovering from a fresh round of surgeries. After undergoing an operation in February to correct a narrowed femoral artery, Iserbyt suffered a relapse in May. Since then, he’s had two more operations and spent over a week in the hospital.

The 27-year-old, who rides for Pauwels Sauzen-Cibel Clementines, was sidelined for six weeks following the initial procedure. That surgery was meant to end the nerve issues plaguing his left leg. "New tests revealed unexpected complications, and before I knew it, I was back in the hospital for eight days for two more major surgeries," Iserbyt said. Though he's no stranger to comebacks, having held European and national titles and claimed 17 World Cup victories, this stretch has tested him differently.

"It's been a difficult time, both physically and mentally," he admitted. "But now I'm back on the bike and can slowly start building up again. I'm facing another long and challenging rehabilitation. This certainly wasn't what I had in mind, but sometimes you just have to go with the flow and keep thinking ahead."

Iserbyt has twice finished on the podium at the cyclocross world championships, but whether he can return to that level in time for the upcoming season is still uncertain. For now, he's focused on one slow step at a time.