"I was in bed for 12 days straight" - Former Belgian pro explains illness that led to his retirement

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."