The Lotto Cycling Team faces pivotal moments as two of its promising riders encounter contrasting fortunes leading up to key competitions. Jenno Berckmoes, the 24-year-old cyclist, has recently battled health challenges which led to the cancellation of his racing plans, whereas Jarno Widar, only 19, strategically opts to stay as an under-23 rider to compete at the prestigious World Championships.
Berckmoes found his preparation disrupted during a supposed altitude training session in Denia, Spain. After just seven days of training, he was forced to discontinue the camp due to troubling symptoms including headaches, extreme fatigue, and feelings of light-headedness. "I had headaches, became extremely tired very quickly, felt lightheaded. I wasn't really seriously ill, but it felt like my battery was constantly draining," Berckmoes explained on the Lotto Cycling Team's website. After thorough medical testing, doctors found significantly high levels of inflammation in his blood and identified the presence of bacteria, possibly due to food poisoning. He stated, “Now I’m on antibiotics.”
Initially, the plan was for Berckmoes to participate not only in the Classic Var on February 24 and the Tour des Alpes-Maritimes on February 25 but also to make his appearance at the Omloop Het Nieuwsblad on March 1. "That plan is now off the table," Berckmoes confirmed. His immediate focus now is on rebuilding his strength and addressing the training setback. Luckily, he is experiencing positive progress with his initial training sessions post-illness and hopes to return to competitive form by riding the Strade Bianche on March 8 and aiming for peak performance by the time Milan-Sanremo rolls around on March 22.
Berckmoes isn't new to the racing scene. He made waves last year by winning the Muur Classic in Geraardsbergen and finishing first on the last lap of the Coppi-Bartali race week. His determination was visible as he also secured third place finishes at the Four Days of Dunkirk, the Franco-Belgian Circuit, the Druivenkoers Overijse and at the European Gravel Championships.
On the other side is Jarno Widar, who has chosen to hold off on becoming professional until 2026 to prioritize his participation at the under-23 World Championships. This decision is all the more intriguing considering he recently claimed the title of the best Belgian promise, having won trophies at both the Flandrien Gala and the Crystal Bike awards. "We have discussed becoming professional this season, but the World Championship for juniors where pros cannot participate made it difficult," Widar admitted. The young cyclist explained his ambition vividly, saying: "I want to score at the World Championships, and I’m working every day to be at the top."
Despite not taking the leap to professional cycling yet, Widar's performance last year, which included winning the overall classification at the Giro U23 and second at the Ronde van Isard, proves he’s ready to step up. With multiple victories under his belt, and the motivation stemming from his growth as both athlete and competitor, he feels the loyalty to Lotto, saying, “I’m here and I’m good.”
This year, Widar plans to partake actively across several races including the Classic Var, Tour des Alpes-Maritimes, and the Settimana Coppi e Bartali, balancing out his focus on big leads and training. He has established concrete goals surrounding his performance progression rather than simply outcomes, stating, "It’s important to become stronger, not necessarily focus on results right now." He’s learning from last year’s frustrations, particularly concerning positioning and strategy, particularly noting, “Positioning is key for climbs during professional races.”
Widar has been candid about his challenges about perception, explaining how his self-confidence can sometimes come off as arrogance. “People sometimes think I’m arrogant, but I just have faith in myself,” he reflected, laughing about how he’s often met with surprise by others who think he’s ‘a nice boy’ after they finally converse with him. Looking forward, he hopes to improve his performance metrics, especially time trials, acknowledging, “I didn’t work much on time trials last year, which was overlooked.” He’s ambitious for this season, as Lotto is targeting enhancements on his aerodynamics for time trials, channeling his competitive edge efficiently.
With significant crossroads for both riders on the Lotto Cycling Team, the next weeks of racing will undoubtedly be consequential for their careers. The focus is now on recovery and preparation for Berckmoes and development and competition for Widar, leading them both toward their respective futures. Only time will tell how these narratives will evolve, but both cyclists remain dedicated to their goals and optimistic about what lies ahead.