# Xandres Vervloesem: Overcoming Adversity and Ready to Shine Again
Xandres Vervloesem, the youngest member of the Lotto Soudal WorldTeam, has faced a challenging start to his professional cycling career. Following unfortunate incidents at Le Samyn and Nokere Koerse, where he crashed and sustained a small tear in his vertebra, Vervloesem’s journey back to racing has been marked by hardship and resilience.
In an honest reflection, Vervloesem shared, “At Nokere Koerse I hit the deck and crashed on my right hip. I was forced to spend ten days off the bike. When I resumed training, I really had to wait and see how much pain I would experience each time.” The struggle with pain delayed his recovery, leading to further setbacks, such as his premature exit from the Ronde van Limburg after only 38 kilometers, leaving him feeling haunted by his injuries.
“Because of the hip injury, I often slept badly at night. The combination of a bad night’s sleep and less qualitative training means that I was constantly looking for my best form,” he explained. The emotional toll of not being able to contribute to his team weighed heavily on him: “Not being able to meet the expectations of the team gives me a gnawing feeling of guilt.”
Vervloesem’s healing journey has been complicated by the current Covid protocols, which limited his interactions with teammates. “Because of Covid, our January training camp took place in different groups. In addition, due to my recovery, I have only taken part in a couple of races,” he noted, citing the missed opportunities for building connections with his fellow riders.
The consistent absence from the racing scene allowed Vervloesem to reflect on the nature of his sport. “I became a pro cyclist to live from race to race. However, because of my injuries and my slow recovery, I couldn’t ride many races. When you’re recovering at home, the race atmosphere is just gone and you start to overthink things a lot,” he confessed.
Despite the mental strain, Vervloesem is determined to rise above these challenges. He recognizes that the road to recovery is not just physical but also mental. “We are receiving the best possible support, and the doctors and trainers are monitoring my situation really well,” he reassured. Moreover, he believes in the necessity of resilience: “As a rider, you have to learn to fall and get up again.”
After a recent surgery to remove his wisdom teeth, Vervloesem was pleasantly surprised at his ability to resume training sooner than expected. “I’ve found the good feeling again and I don’t have any more trouble with my injuries,” he stated, expressing his enthusiasm for the upcoming races in Spain.
As he prepares to make his return at the Spanish one-day race Vuelta a Castilla y León this Thursday, Vervloesem is eager to showcase his potential. With the right mindset and preparation, the young Belgian cyclist aims to turn his misfortune into a moment of triumph. “Falling down and getting up again is part of my job as a professional cyclist,” he concludes, ready to embrace the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.
