"I don’t think it’s solvable at this point" - Eli Iserbyt warned his career may be over by Belgian forced to retire for 'almost exactly the same story'
Cyclocross
Eli Iserbyt’s fight with recurring iliac artery issues has taken another worrying turn — and one rider who lived the same nightmare believes the Belgian star may now be facing the hardest decision of his career.
Viktor Verschaeve, who was forced to retire early after his own battle with the condition, says Iserbyt’s struggles mirror his experience almost step-by-step. Speaking in comments originally reported by Het Nieuwsblad, he issued a stark warning: “When I read the articles about Eli, it is almost exactly the same story as mine. He is going through the same stages that I went through.”
The Pauwels Sauzen - Altez Industriebouw Cycling Team rider has already undergone three major operations to alleviate blood-flow restriction in the iliac artery, but recent training issues suggest the problem has returned. For Verschaeve, that development hits painfully close to home. “Everything I read is so similar to what I lived. I don't think it’s solvable at this point.”
“He will have to decide how far he wants to go with his body”
Verschaeve’s career ultimately ended despite multiple surgeries and consultations. He believes Iserbyt, who is only 28, must now weigh the long-term consequences carefully. “Eli will have to decide how far he wants to go with his body. Another operation, or does it stop here?”
He cautioned against rushing into more surgery without extreme certainty: “I would say: don't rush. Without the right support, you can end up agreeing to surgery too quickly.”
Verschaeve added that even leading medical teams can be reluctant to perform repeat procedures due to the risks involved — something he personally encountered. “When I needed a second operation, they warned me: ‘We just had a young guy in for a second surgery — he nearly bled to death.’”
“Sport can be a golden cage”
Ultimately, Verschaeve explained that stepping away restored balance and health to his life — something he hopes Iserbyt will keep in mind if doctors cannot offer a definitive solution.
“Eli is young, 28. And if you are a rider you want to stay a rider. But sport can also be a golden cage,” he explains. “I can live normally now and I might be happier than I ever was as a cyclist.”
Iserbyt is set to consult another specialist this week. For Belgian cyclocross fans — and for the rider himself — it could prove a decisive moment in both his health and his future in the sport.
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Kieran WoodDeputy Editor-in-Chief
Kieran Wood is a sports journalist based in Wales and has been active in journalism since 2022. He regularly contributes to DartsNews.com and CyclingUpToDate.com, where he covers professional cycling and darts. In cycling, his work includes liveblogs from major races, including the Tour de France, the Giro d’Italia, and La Vuelta a España, alongside race reports and analysis. He has also conducted interviews with professional riders.
His reporting spans the full racing calendar, from one-day classics to stage races, with a focus on accurate, real-time coverage and clear contextual analysis. For statistics, results, and historical context, he regularly uses resources such as ProCyclingStats. To support reporting on rider activity and training context where relevant, he also references Strava.
In his work, Kieran places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles as new, verified information becomes available.
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"𝑨𝒃𝒔𝒐𝒍𝒖𝒕𝒆𝒍𝒚 𝒔𝒑𝒆𝒄𝒕𝒂𝒄𝒖𝒍𝒂𝒓!" 💥 Eli Iserbyt kicked off 2025 in style at Badkamers Trofee Baal 👏
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