# Viktor Verschaeve Bows Out of Professional Cycling Due to Injury
Lotto Dstny rider Viktor Verschaeve has officially announced his retirement from professional cycling at the age of 24. The Belgian athlete’s decision is a result of a long-standing injury that has plagued him since his first year as a pro, ultimately preventing him from realizing his full potential on the bike.
Over the last two years, Verschaeve has undergone multiple surgeries and sought advice from various specialists, but these attempts to find a resolution have not yielded positive results. “Already in 2021, my first pro year, the injury caused troubles. They assumed a narrowed iliac artery, but a surgery didn’t improve much,” he shared. Despite managing to complete an almost full season in 2022, the ongoing discomfort prevented him from performing at his best. “At the end of ’22, I underwent another surgery, which didn’t bring any solution either,” he added.
In light of his persistent injury, Verschaeve was transferred to the Lotto Dstny Development Team for the 2023 season, allowing him to focus on recovery at his own pace. However, recent examinations revealed that there is no medical solution for his condition. “I postponed the final decision for a long time as I was still hoping to find a solution,” he said, expressing gratitude for the support he received from Lotto Dstny during his challenging journey. “Unfortunately, it wasn’t meant to be.”
Verschaeve made his professional debut with Lotto Soudal in 2021 after honing his skills in their Development Team for two years. His promising talent was highlighted when he finished second at the Liège-Bastogne-Liège U23 in 2019 and won a stage in the renowned Tour de Savoie Mont Blanc in 2020.
Reflecting on his career and the challenges faced, Verschaeve stated, “Of course, I would have liked to race some longer. I was hopeful and kept on searching for solutions, I visited multiple specialists… It’s tough but I’m also at peace with it. I am really proud that I could turn pro due to the evolution I had at the U23 category with that Savoie stage win as the absolute highlight.”
As Verschaeve embarks on a new chapter, he remains hopeful for future opportunities within the cycling world but plans to take some time to reassess his path forward.
