Before it even really begins: former E3 and Tour of Flanders winner won't race again this spring

Don't expect to see Kasper Asgreen any longer this spring. The Dane from EF Education–EasyPost will no longer race this classics season after a viral infection has impacted his health, the team announced ahead of the first Flemish classics. “I won’t return to competition until I can be the best possible version of myself,” he said.

Asgreen was presented this past winter as EF Education–EasyPost’s key rider for the spring campaign, and everything seemed to be on track. “All winter, I was on the right path toward a strong classics campaign. Together with the team, we put together a great group of riders for the classics, and the belief and support within the team felt amazing.”

“A few weeks ago, I picked up an infection. After some rest, I thought I was back on track without too much loss of fitness, but things got worse during Paris–Nice,” explained Asgreen, who joined EF Education–EasyPost aiming to return to the level of his peak years after a few tougher seasons at Soudal Quick-Step. “I had to rest again—at the worst possible moment. All the work we did over the winter was ruined.”

“I’m healthy enough to race, but I’m not in the shape to be competitive. That’s why, in agreement with the team, I’ve decided not to race again until I can be the best version of myself. Of course, it’ll hurt to watch my teammates ride the classics, but I’m glad the team values me most when I’m at my best,” said the former winner of the E3 Saxo Classic and the Tour of Flanders.

Read more below the photo!

Doctor EF Education-EasyPost: "We saw it reflected in his values"

Jon Greenwell, doctor at EF Education–EasyPost, provided further explanation. “Kasper had a very strong winter, but during Paris–Nice, he started feeling fatigued again. We saw that reflected in his health data. We were concerned and decided to withdraw him from Paris–Nice so we could run further tests. We also didn’t want to take any risks with potential heart issues.”

“We looked for the cause, and the tests showed that the virus he had previously contracted was responsible for the fatigue,” Greenwell said. “After a period of rest, he’ll be able to start riding again lightly this week. We’ll monitor his health closely and ensure that he only returns to racing once he’s fully recovered,” the team’s medical lead concluded in the press release.

Asgreen is not the first top rider forced to skip the cobbled classics. Christophe Laporte, one of Visma | Lease a Bike’s key riders, also had to pull out this week due to a viral infection. In the Frenchman’s case, it was the CMV virus. For Asgreen, it’s not yet clear which virus is to blame. In the absence of their Danish leader, EF Education–EasyPost will rely on riders like Neilson Powless, Vincenzo Albanese, Madis Mikhels, and Mikkel Honoré.

Read also

Lance Armstrong watched in amazement at Mathieu van der Poel: "Did you see his face at that moment?"

Faster than Pogacar and van der Poel on the Poggio!? Giro d'Italia can't ignore well-prepared Pidcock says Q36.5

Decision made: No E3 or Gent-Wevelgem, but Roubaix for Pogacar; Narváez also skips both Flemish races

Subscribe to our Newsletter

Get every week the latest news about CYCLING in your inbox!

Subscribe