«People, when they go to see these events, look for the champions, but he still has the same attention towards the test, even if the big names are not there. Surely when they are there, more people come, even foreign fans. The organizers know it, but sometimes there's little you can do about it." Words from the Italian national team. Daniel Pontoni on the eve of the continental review in Middelkerke which is being played between today and tomorrow. Without the Three Tenors due to their choices, they will probably only be competing in cyclocross in December, but another great protagonist of the last seasons will also be missing, Eli Iserbyt and in his case the problem is much more serious.
A long-standing problem
A controversial character, often out of line and capable of causing great divisions in the public between those who love him unconditionally and those who see him with smoke in their eyes, Last year Iserbyt had finished the season in serious physical crisis, with problems in his left leg.Tests revealed a narrowing of the inguinal artery, which required surgery and the knowledge that he would miss the start of the season. He was supposed to resume in Niel next Tuesday, but he will not be competing.
Last week, at the Lokeren test of theH2O Badkamers Trophy the atmosphere at home Pauwels Sauzen she was very sad despite the good results and to explain why Wielerflits he had been the team manager Jurgen Mettepenningen: «Things were going well until two weeks ago, but then Eli had a relapse in training. His leg started to hurt again and checks revealed that the blood flow to the femoral artery had not returned to its optimal level.».
4 weeks off, then we'll see
A subsequent check-up carried out in Ghent gave Iserbyt a little hope and it was the Belgian champion himself who announced it on his social media channels together with his wife. Fien Maddens: "I'm going to put the bike aside completely for the next 4 weeks and see what happens, then I'll undergo another check-up. I thank everyone who supported me and I hope to see them back on the pitch soon."
The team manager has regained a glimmer of hope, but objectively the situation is not simple: «It is clear that the operation has not had the success that we all expected – says Mettepenningen – Eli is a professional, seeing his teammates compete without being able to be with them is hard, it's his job and he can't do itIt's important that he doesn't lose hope; his return to competition takes second place to his health and self-esteem."
A blow to his self-esteem
Mettepenningen was particularly careful in his observations on this aspect: «The problem is that he has already been under the knife twice without finding a solution and in the long run this weighs on him and saps his confidence. I don't know right now if Eli feels like going back under the knife. Cyclocross at this level is secondary; what matters is that he can return to full health."
However, Iserbyt's case is not the first in the world of cycling: «Many have been through it. Marianne Vos She's back to her best. I think Eli was just unlucky, because in his case the surgery didn't have the desired effect. Eli can walk, he can pedal his bike without having to force it at all, he practically has half the strength in his left leg as in his right.».
A team without its champion
Iserbyt's absence is felt in the team and not only in terms of results: «We were used to lining up in the big tests with two big strikers like Eli and Vanthourenhout, now Michael often finds himself facing team games without valid support. We need Iserbyt, we hope he recovers soon, for him and for us.. To think that his career is over? We don't even want to consider that possibility..."
