"I have had a lot of problems with my back and sat on the bike for an hour crying because of the pain" - Pim Ronhaar happy with comeback today in Baal

Pim Ronhaar was in the podium of the GP Sven Nys Baal today and was joined by two other riders who have an inconsistent set of results but rode strongly this afternoon. The Dutch rider however was pleased after a good performance that followed a difficult period that was marked by a lot of pain.

“I also try to be positive, but after the Lyme virus my form is starting to drop. The past two weeks I have had a lot of problems with my back and sat on the bike for an hour crying because of the pain," Ronhaar shared in words to Wielerflits.

Today was his first podium since the Hulst World Cup. "Today it was a lot better, although it hurt a lot again at the end. But we have a new sponsor, so I think you have to get the most out of yourself.”

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Ronhaar and Emiel Verstrynge had strong legs at the start of the race and shared the head of the race ahead of the rest of the field. But Eli Iserbyt had the much needed endurance today and caught up with them later on, and then rode away to his first victory in five weeks. "At one point, with two laps to go, I was on Eli's wheel for a while. When he started to climb, I had the feeling that I was better.”

“Only he could do that for two more laps, I only one. At the end I slowly started to get empty," Ronhaar admits. "I also got back pain, then the strength quickly drains from your legs. But yes, I can be satisfied with second place. I have to be happy, but it is mentally tough. After the summer I had, my form is slowly getting worse. But today I did find my good legs again.”

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