Gianni Meersman quits cycling, because of heart problems. (Dutch source)
m.sporza.be/#!/snippet/5866875fc9976f06001d1b85
sporza.bePosted Dec 30, 2016, 4:16 PM UTC
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sporza.beTranslation:
"In a recent medical routine research, it was discovered that Gianni Meersman has cardiac arrythmia and scar tissue on his heart", reads the press announcement. "Additional researches have shown that this will be an acute danger for his health if Meersman continues cycling on the highest level. That's why he had to make the hard and dramatic decision to stop with his cycling career with immediate effect.
"A few weeks ago, they told me there were abnormalities in my heart. It came out of nowhere and shook up my world, explains Meersman. "In the meantime there has been more research and scans. But they also showed it would be dangerous to continue with cycling. Specialists have advised me to stop with my cycling career."
My wife and daughter have put aside everything for my career and I don't want to take any risk. Cycling was not only my profession but also my passion. It hurts really bad to stop with my passion."
14
The management of FVC just went "fuuuuuuuuuuu....."
That was their star signing before the next season.
I'm sad, I really looked forward to see him tearing up the place, and wanted to see him prove that he could beat several of his former colleagues at ETQ given a chance.
Cyclingquotes got what reads like a direct translation of the sporza article up - http://www.cyclingquotes.com/news/shock_gianni_meersman_announces_retirement/
11
This is very sad. I follow him since long time
7
Sad news, can't believe how bitter this must be for him....to give up on his profession and passion because of a health problem
On the other side, it's good to be aware of it before something bad happens!
6
Must be horrible for him to suddenly find out his career's over, especially after a reasonably decent 2016 season. But his health comes first. Hope he can find something else as soon as possible.
5
Well that sucks, but he's lucky it was diagnosed before a cardiac incident during a race or training.
5
Sad and unexpected news.
4
Wow that was totally unexpected. I enjoyed watching him (sort-of) dominate at the sprinter-less Vuelta. Also, he's a Belgian named Gianni, which must be worth something in itself. Hope that he can live a healthy and long life still. Who knows maybe he can get into coaching or something now.
4
There are actually many Belgians with Italian heritage. A lot of Italians came over to work in the mines in Wallonia around Liege and more a few decades back. There are many Belgians (riders) with Italian first names around because of this.
5
Oh yeah I remember the commentators talking about that in LBL once. Come to think I have seen others, just never put it together.
3
Same in France with the italians and the polish!
3
Holy heck!
3
Damn it, such sad news. One of my favourite, it always hurts.
3
Always sad to read that a rider is forced to end his career.
3
Gianni Meersman, Omega pharma quick step, won some Vuelta stages this year.
1
Very sad new for Meersman which had signed on a French team to be the leader in 2017. But most important thing is the health.
1
Very sad, always an exciting rider.. was looking forward to see him going well in the spring races for Fortuno