EF Schooling-Cannondale’s Veronica Ewers introduced at the moment that she won’t be racing for the rest of 2024.
The U.S. bicycle owner revealed that she has RED-S (relative power deficiency in sport), poor bone density and “just about non-existent” estrogen ranges after current bloodwork and a DEXA scan to handle a stress fracture in her heel.
In line with Brown College, bodily lively individuals are in danger for RED-S, and it might probably happen with or with out disordered consuming or intentional underfueling. The crux of RED-S is the under-consumption of energy coupled with frequent intense train, creating an power deficiency within the physique.
Brown College explains that for individuals who menstruate, when the physique perceives “too nice a spot between power expenditure and power consumption, estrogen ranges drop…[and] estrogen ranges are wanted to take care of calcium content material in bone.”
If low estrogen ranges aren’t addressed, says Brown College, osteoporosis can develop.
Ewers, who solely started driving bikes in 2018, skyrocketed to the professional degree by 2021, when she stood atop the U.S. Professional Nationals podium with a bronze medal. In 2022, Ewers completed ninth general on the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift (a crash sidelined her in Stage 6 of the 2023 Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift).
Heading into 2024, Ewers and her assist system at EF Schooling-Cannondale knew her well being wanted to be a spotlight.
The most recent race content material, interviews, options, critiques and professional shopping for guides, direct to your inbox!
“At first of this yr, the group stated, ‘We’re going to attempt to get you to a wholesome place. Which may imply that efficiency takes a success, however we’ll make some diversifications originally of this yr,’’ Ewers shared in an announcement. “My coaching modified as a result of my physique wanted to heal and recuperate in sure methods. This then impacted my efficiency, which had a domino impact on my psychological well being… This break was a suggestion from the group as a method to have a full reset.”
The Idaho native says she shall be taking time away from biking for “fairly a while” after which seeing what the longer term holds.
Ewers stated in her assertion that she has a robust assist system to bolster her bodily and psychological well being heading into this subsequent chapter consisting of her group doctor, a dietician, a therapist, her coaches and her teammates.
Ewers acknowledged that this indefinite break shall be onerous and scary, and he or she questions if she shall be stronger than she was earlier than when she returns.
Regardless, Ewers is aware of that this time away from aggressive biking is crucial for her general well being, and he or she plans to make use of the hiatus to journey Europe along with her dad and mom earlier than returning to Idaho and spending time at her household residence.
“I feel [the time with my family] will give me a number of peace,” Ewers stated. “I can simply spend a while with my household and buddies… and simply get that reset.”
