The season is about to begin on the road–and CX is ramping up towards the worlds at the end of the month. But two big names in men’s pro cycling shocked fans Thursday when they said they were leaving the sport.
2025 Giro d’Italia winner Simon Yates was the first to say he was hanging up the cleats. The second pro to do so was ‘cross star Eli Iserbyt.
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The Belgian rider announced his immediate retirement from professional cycling through a video on Instagram.
Recurring medical issues
The Pauwels Sauzen–Bingoal rider said he underwent surgery the first time back in February following the conclusion of the ‘cross season. He also had it done again in the autumn to address restricted blood flow in his iliac artery. Although he continued to race, the condition unfortunately persisted.
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In his clip shared on IG, the 28-year-old said he had been told by multiple doctors that it was no longer possible for him to ride his bike. Not just racing–they also said recreational riding was not a good idea.
“Over the past few weeks I’ve received the news from multiple doctors that it’s no longer medically advisable for me to ride my bike,” Iserbyt wrote. “I’ve always shared the beautiful moments with you. But now I also want to share the difficult ones. Unfortunately, it is no longer possible for me to continue my career.”
Although limited by blood-flow problems in his left leg, Iserbyt remained competitive during his final season. He won three races in 2024, and one this past fall. His final professional victory was at the GP Sven Nys in Baal just over a year ago. In the 2025-2026 season, he came close to another win, taking second at the Superprestige in Middelkerke, and second at the Exact Cross Maldegem.
His peers all weighed in on the news, saying how he will be missed at the races. World champion Mathieu van der Poel wished him luck–with a crying emoji, no less. His Alpecin – Premier Tech team added, “Lots of good luck and strength with this terrible news!”
Across his career, Iserbyt was one of the most successful riders of his generation. He won the World Cup and Superprestige overall titles twice each and claimed the DVV/X2O Badkamers Trofee four times.
Other riders like Wout van Aert, Thibau Nys, Ceylin del Carmen Alvarado also wished him the best. Alvarado posted, “stay strong, Eli.”
One of his long-time rivals, Lars van der Haar echoed the sentiment of many of the riders in the ‘cross world. “Good luck Eli, thanks for the beautiful battles!”
The departure certainly will be felt, given how the multiple Belgian champion always animated the races. (Sometimes a little too animated, but we can give those days a pass given his news.)