The Tractor, as he his fondly nicknamed within the Quick-Step Alpha Vinyl Team, will miss out on the classics season. Tim Declercq was diagnosed with pericarditis and will take several weeks off the bike.
"Started the season really well and I felt ready to give my best for the Quick-Step Alpha Vinyl Team boys, but a few hours after the 1th stage of Algarve I felt really bad. We didn’t knew immediately what it was but later I was diagnosed with pericarditis," Declercq said.
He reassured though that the situation would not have long-term effects: "Symptoms are gone and there will be no long term negative effects but we will follow doctors advice, spent the next weeks off the bike."
He went on to complete: "Cheering for the wolfpack with little bit of a bleeding heart (figuratively) missing my beloved classic(s). We we do try to come back stronger then ever."
Declercq is consistently a key rider in the Belgian team's lineup at the classics season, frequently being road captain, controlling breakaways and attacks and having his own moments of glory. He recently completed the Saudi Tour where he finished in an impressive fourth place overall. In the coming weeks new information should arise regarding a possible return to competition.
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- What’s more, I think luxury is more the writers opinion than any objective evaluation, it certainly isn’t big and compared to many places not even costly (sou ds great in Kroner though). If I had to estimate, I’d say in value, Jonas’ 5 houses probably just about manage to equal Tadej’s apartment.Mistermaumau11-01-2026
- I don’t call the writers here journalists, they are at best paid posters, no more knowledgable than many of us. I certainly don’t agree with everything they say or portray but I do understand they have to provoke to make their hitherto business model sustainable. And as it isn’t possible to discuss with them, it’s more interesting, rewarding and instructive to pick points to discuss with people willing to engage. I choose and have my own reasons for positive of negative opinions on riders and engage when someone disagrees on those, not interested in engaging on other reasons. What I agree with or don’t is pretty irrelevant though, I think you’ll agree JV gets his fair share of lifestyle criticism (also here) so why should TP be exempt? Do you think he comes off worse?Mistermaumau11-01-2026
- Has anyone seen an official statement from Visma?Mistermaumau11-01-2026
- But, as was proven by ... in 2025 and others before, there’s always a way. Feel free to guess who I didn’t type outMistermaumau11-01-2026
- Yep something smells rotten with this whole situation.Hc222811-01-2026
- Not exactly a recent development, been known in elite sports for decades and cycling since years : « Approximately one in five professional cycling athletes will eventually develop a sport-related vascular problem. However, detecting such flow limitation is a diagnostic challenge as the sensitivity of the currently available standard diagnostic tools is limited. «Mistermaumau11-01-2026
- Unfortunately, that is sounding more and more like a plausible explanation to this situation.
santiagobenites11-01-2026 - You can have 100 cards but none of the cards will survive an attack by Pogi or MVDP from 80-100k outabstractengineer11-01-2026
- it is too simple to base improvement on points alone. Quick-Step lost a lot of points but might gain more wins and are shifting their focus. Juan Ayuso might be addition by subtraction. and Ineos picked up a lot of points. Onley gets a boatload for being 4th in the Tour. but who’s racing for 4th place?!?!?mij11-01-2026
- All very sad. But you seem to be backing the journalists in generally demonising Tadej and canonising Jonas. This article is interesting though, and suggests Jonas is making very good financial decisions, acquiring luxury homes that he and his family are enjoying living in, and staying near family (also now in luxury homes) who can help with the kids. Sounds like a great lifestyle, and not a basis for critising Pog's decisions.Hills3311-01-2026
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