Two months after life-threatening stroke, Cofidis classics specialist eyes return to the peloton: “I’ve started riding my bike outside again and it feels great”

Cofidis rider Ludovic Robeet has shared a positive update on his recovery, two months after suffering a stroke that left his 2025 season in doubt. The Belgian has revealed that he is now back on the bike outdoors — a major milestone in what has been a long and uncertain road to recovery.

“Two months after my stroke, things are moving in the right direction. I’ve started riding my bike outside again and it feels great. There are still ups and downs, some days easier than others… but there’s clear progress. Thank you all for your messages, your support, your presence. We keep going, step by step. Now, it’s time to work hard to get back to my best level.”

Robeet’s stroke occurred in mid-September, just before he was due to fly to Canada for the WorldTour races in Québec and Montréal. The incident shocked the cycling world and forced Cofidis to withdraw him from competition immediately. The team later confirmed that his condition was “positive and encouraging”, though no official racing timetable was provided.

Now, with the rider himself confirming a return to light outdoor training, signs are improving. For a rider best known for his aggressive, attacking style in one-day races such as Nokere Koerse, where he famously won from a long-range breakaway in 2021, this latest step represents a remarkable turnaround.

At 1.94 metres tall and a powerful engine on rough terrain, Robeet has long been valued as a loyal team rider and opportunist capable of seizing chances on the cobbles. His elevation to Cofidis in 2024 was seen as a deserved leap to WorldTour level — a chapter abruptly paused by the health scare but now slowly resuming.

There has been no official comment from Cofidis about when Robeet might return to racing, and given the seriousness of a stroke, any comeback will depend on medical clearance and a gradual re-adaptation to competition.

Still, his message is one of optimism and gratitude — a reminder of how fragile, yet resilient, a professional cyclist’s career can be. “We keep going, step by step,” he wrote, signalling not only his determination to ride again but also the patience such a recovery demands.

For now, Robeet’s progress will be celebrated by fans and teammates alike. Simply turning the pedals outside again — after a life-threatening event — is a victory in itself.