The Vuelta is about to enter its final week, but the past two weeks have not been without their challenges for Lotto Dstny. Andreas Kron had to leave the Vuelta after suffering a concussion from a heavy crash, and Lennert Van Eetvelt returned home early due to lung issues. It’s not the most enjoyable part of the job, but it’s precisely at moments like these that the team doctor steps in. He makes the final call: continue racing or not. Milan Holvoet (31) has been a doctor with the team for seven years and knows the ins and outs of cycling medicine. "In fact, we are on call for our riders 24/7, all year round."
The riders of Lotto Dstny can rely on 4 team doctors. They don’t just accompany the team to races- "That's just a smaller part of the job"- but are also available during the week and in the off-season. "Our work begins on the eve of the cycling season," says Milan. "Every rider must undergo screening before their first race. They see a cardiologist, a physiotherapist... This helps us map out their health and identify any physical issues that need addressing. This way, we avoid any surprises once the season is three or four months underway."
"From that point on, we monitor our riders throughout the year, acting as a sort of second general practitioner. We contact them weekly to ensure everyone is feeling well. But they can also reach out to us 24/7. Primarily for medical advice, but also, for example, to quickly arrange a check-up after a crash or for assistance when they’re ill. In such cases, we sometimes refer them to their own GP or have them visit us."
And then there’s the race itself. The medical staff divides the calendar, and a doctor accompanies the team to at least all major races. "Of course, the goal is for every rider to start in perfect shape, which means that not only they but also we have done our job well, and then our role during the race is relatively limited. We're there to assist with doping controls and help with wound care or other discomforts before the race on the team bus. Once the race starts, the race doctor is in charge. I often assist with giving bottles along the road. After the finish, it's back to us. I’m there with the soigneur at the finish line to hand out recovery drinks. Finally, I’m back on the bus afterward to assist and go around in the evening at the hotel to check in with everyone about any potential issues. This way, we stay on top of things."
Pictures: Brecht Steenhouwer
