"I was in bed for 12 days straight" - Former Belgian pro explains illness that led to his retirement
Cycling
Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team rider Tom Devriendt has decided to call
time on his career, at 33 years old. Speaking with Sporza, Devriendt revealed mental
health problems had affected his career over the past two years, since his
fourth placed finish at Paris-Roubaix in 2022. That day, Devriendt had led the
race with 30km, only to narrowly miss out on a podium place in a sprint finish.
"In the winter before the 2023 season, I suddenly lost
an extreme amount of weight. My fat percentage had dropped to 4 percent,"
he told Sporza. "That was in the Tour of Valencia. It was 17 degrees and I
needed a buff, because I was cold. Strange, because as a classics rider I
always coped well with the cold."
"After that Tour of Valencia I was extremely
tired and I never reached my level again,” he says, revealing just how much the
illness impacted him.
"I came home from the Amstel Gold Race and went
straight to bed to start my rest period. Then the stomach problems
started. For 8 months I had to go to the toilet day and night, 10 to
12 times a day."
After months of tests and waiting, Devriendt was eventually
diagnosed with Crohn’s disease, an inflammatory disease of the intestinal
tract.
"After the GP Monseré I was in bed for 12
days straight. I really couldn't do anything anymore,” he said. “The team still
wanted me to ride the Tour of Flanders. I didn't cycle for 3 days before the
Tour because I was afraid I wouldn't make it to the finish in Oudenaarde.
"During the Tour I rode in the top three all day.
In the end I dropped out during a passage in Oudenaarde. Afterwards, in the
team bus, I begged the staff not to select me for Paris-Roubaix. I was
completely exhausted and empty, my whole body was out of balance. I can hardly
put that feeling into words, it was as if my soul was leaving my body.
"When I wanted to drive home after the Tour, I
sat in my car with my eyes closed for a while. Afraid that I wouldn't get
home."
Devriendt went on to explain how he has found peace in
retirement, "Many riders said it would be hard to stop racing. But for me
it really feels like a liberation.
"Most people will consider that 4th place in
Paris-Roubaix the highlight. But I still feel sorry for missing the podium
because of a mistake in the sprint. Although I don't dwell on it too
much."
Fin MajorCycling Journalist
Fin Major is a UK-based writer at CyclingUpToDate and has been part of the team since 2024. He is the site’s main writer for FAQs and evergreen explainers and has written around 2,000 pieces for the platform. Alongside this work, he focuses on in-depth analysis and covers the biggest races on the calendar, including the Tour de France, the Giro d’Italia, and La Vuelta a España, providing clear context around performance trends, tactics, and key storylines.
In his reporting, Fin uses reputable data sources such as ProCyclingStats for results, statistics, and historical context. He places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. Outside of writing, Fin is an active cyclist, which supports his practical understanding of the sport and its demands.
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