Niels Albert retires from cyclo-cross for health reasons

Former cyclo-cross World Champion Niels Albert has announced the end of his professional career after discovering he had potentially life-threatening cardiac arrhythmia problems. The 28-year old from Bonheiden, Antwerp province, said he was told last week that his condition could cause a fatal heart attack in competition.

“Much sooner than I had anticipated, I have to end my career,” an emotional Albert told a press conference in Leuven. Doctors found the problem with his heart through a routine check-up in March, discovering scar tissue build-up due to an infection. “This sudden farewell is a very heavy sledgehammer,” he said.

Albert won world titles as a junior, U23 rider and twice as an elite cyclo-cross rider. His first title was in Hoogerheide in 2009, and his second in Koksijde in 2012. Albert also won the World Cup twice. He has a total of 79 elite cyclo-cross victories to his name.

On hearing the news, rival Belgian cyclist Sven Nys tweeted: “Speechless. No words”.