David Haverdings reveals the reason for his inconsistency this year being heart problems he encountered during summer: "I even had to have heart surgery"

David Haverdings came in like a comet last season. As a first-year prospect, he immediately caught the eye among his peers, and even among the pros. Haverdings has not been able to continue that trend in recent weeks, but according to the Baloise Trek Lions rider, there is a good reason for this.

Victories in the promise crosses at the Koppenberg and in Herentals were his share, but there were also very distant results in other competitions. "You can call my first weeks hit and miss," he is self-critical talking to WielerFlits. "I have had a lot of bad luck and I don't like the courses as much when there is a lot of mud and it really becomes 'stoemping'."

But the most important setback occurred a few months ago. "Unfortunately, at the beginning of the summer I suffered from heart problems. I even had to have heart surgery, and after that I was out for quite a long time. Intense, but it was necessary to continue my cycling career. Perhaps that is why my general condition was slightly worse. My base is not wide enough, which means I lack power on the straights. Not illogical in itself, if you see what I have experienced."

Haverdings must therefore adjust his expectations. "Last year was exceptionally good, with many nice results. I was thrown into it at a very young age, but it went well right away. The problem is that now you start thinking about it. You want to do just as well or even better, but that cannot be compared. The level has risen even more, and I was far behind."