At simply 26, Lars van den Berg (Groupama-FDJ) has been compelled to retire from skilled biking attributable to coronary heart points, after being knowledgeable by cardiologists that the “dangers are just too nice.”
Van den Berg introduced the information on his Instagram on Thursday, greater than a 12 months after his ordeal with cardiac issues began, when he misplaced consciousness on the bike and crashed on the Faun Ardèche Classic. That will change into his final skilled look after 4 years within the WorldTour peloton.
“My worst nightmare has change into actuality: after a 12 months of restoration and onerous work, I’ve been compelled to retire from skilled biking,” stated Van den Berg in an emotional submit.
“The information got here as an enormous shock. This winter, I lastly felt like I used to be rediscovering my type after an extended and difficult street again. But after intensive monitoring, my cardiologists have decided that the dangers are just too nice. And similar to that, my profession as a professional bike owner has come to an abrupt and heartbreaking finish.”
Van den Berg’s youthful brother, Marijn, can also be an expert who at present races for EF Education-EasyPost. Not attending to race professionally on the identical squad together with his sibling was one of many many objectives the Dutchman ached at not having but achieved, together with his retirement efficient instantly.
“I can’t fairly wrap my head round it but. After 4 years within the professional peloton, my childhood dream has been lower quick,” continued Van den Berg.
“At simply 26, I’m left with ambitions I now not get to chase. No first professional victory, no probability to experience alongside my brother on the identical group. That realisation hurts greater than I can put into phrases.
“But because the shock settles, so does a way of gratitude. I’m grateful to be right here, to be wholesome, and to have fought my method again into good condition. That’s one thing I’ll maintain on to and work onerous to take care of, whereas spending time with the individuals who matter most to me.
“In time, I’ll set new objectives – and as all the time, I’ll pour all my vitality into reaching them. I don’t know but the place this subsequent chapter will take me, however I’ll hold you up to date alongside the best way.”
Van den Berg gave nice because of all of those that supported him throughout these robust years, together with his group returning the favour for all he gave as a rider who got here up by means of their growth group. He raced two Tours de France throughout his time on the French outfit.
“For now, I simply need to say thanks,” he stated. “To everybody who has supported me by means of 20 years of biking, and particularly to those that stood by me throughout the hardest moments of this previous 12 months.”
“It is with huge emotion that we announce that Lars van den Berg is ending his skilled biking profession for well being causes,” learn a submit on X from Groupama-FDJ.
“A linchpin of our group for the previous 4 seasons, Lars has marked our historical past with dedication, professionalism and group spirit. Thank you Lars for these great years.”
Van den Berg joins a number of different riders who’ve additionally been compelled to abruptly finish their biking careers attributable to cardiac points in recent times. SD Worx rider Anna Shackley retired in April final 12 months with coronary heart irregularities, and 2021 Paris-Roubaix winner Sonny Colbrelli additionally hung up his wheels in 2022 after collapsing at a race earlier in that season.
