Tom Meeusen calls off his retirement: "Not everyone will respond positively to the fact that I want to race again"

Tom Meeusen will be back in action next cyclocross season. The 34-year old crosser ended his career quite abruptly in December 2022, but has now announced his return. He will ride for Athletes for Hope.

"I'm quitting," he wrote on Instagram after handing in his contract with Deschacht-Hens-Maes. "I tried to turn the tide again in Essen, but I have to be honest with myself. The max is out. I have been able to stop in silence with many people around me that I like. Thank you for the beautiful years."

Meeusen has now changed his mind. "I realize that not everyone will respond positively to the fact that I want to race again," says Meeusen about his decision at Het Nieuwsblad. "First stopping and then coming back with hanging legs is a bit weak of course. I also have positive and negative reactions in my own circles, but by taking a break for a while, I got the chance to think about what went wrong in recent years."

"I need someone who can support me both physically and mentally, so I've come to the right place with Marc," he refers to Marc Herremans, who is tge face of Athletes for Hope. Jens Adams also rides for this multidisciplinary team, which has a triathlon, cyclocross and BMX core. The team is part of a project to raise money for children with disabilities.