Another pro cyclist retires early over sudden cardiac issues

Dutch professional cyclist Wesley Kreder last week announced his early retirement after experiencing a sudden cardiac event, making him the third professional cyclist this year to quit the sport over heart issues.

The 32-year-old was hospitalized for over a week in early September with myocarditis, an inflammation of the heart muscle. Kreder tried to return to cycling after his release but discovered the problem is long-term.

“After my heart incident, I told myself I could return to the highest level and do races. But my doctor has informed me that the best, and wisest, solution is to stop,” said Kreder in a statement shared by Cycling Weekly. “I know the sacrifices you have to make and the physical shape necessary to compete at the highest level, and this is not compatible with what I experienced. The decision was not easy to make, but when I look at my children, my family, I know I’ve done what I had to do.”

Last month 27-year-old Nathan Van Hooydonck also announced his early retirement after he suddenly became “unwell” while driving and crashed his car. The incident left Van Hooydonck with a “heart anomaly” and required him to be outfitted with an internal defibrillator (ICD). “Further medical examinations have to determine why Nathan became unwell,” said Van Hooydonck’s team Jumbo-Visma in a statement.

In July 35-year-old Belgian pro cyclist Sep Vanmarcke announced his retirement after a monitor detected an abnormally rapid heart rate while he was cycling. Tests showed Vanmarcke had developed a heart condition “posed by scar tissue.” While he has retired from cycling, Vanmarcke will stay on the Israel–Premier Tech cycling team in a staffing capacity.

Sports media are mystified as to what might have caused Kreder’s myocarditis and the other cardiac injuries.

“Despite these cardiac events affecting relatively young and healthy athletes, the root cause is still a mystery,” wrote Men’s Journal.

In October 2022 Sonny Colbrelli announced his retirement from professional cycling after he suddenly collapsed during the Volta a Catalunya tournament. Medical examinations showed the then-32-year-old had developed unstable cardiac arrhythmia and the athlete was fitted for an ICD.

In addition to the professional sport, amateur cycling has also yielded recent casualties.

In July Dr. Simon MacGowan, an avid club cyclist and one of Ireland’s leading cardiothoracic surgeons, died suddenly while on a bicycling trip in France. His death came just days after 48-year-old Irish triathlete and cyclist Sarah Fagan also died suddenly from a cardiac arrest during a triathlon.