Robert Gesink's cycling career on hold with heart condition

Persistent problems with irregular heartbeat sidelines Dutch rider Robert Gesink

Robert Gesink

(Image credit: Watson)

Robert Gesink put his cycling future on hold due to a heart condition, according to Dutch media. The Dutchman of team Belkin was due to race his home classic, the Amstel Gold Race this Sunday.

Gesink, 27, explained during a press conference on Tuesday evening  that he suffers from cardiac arrhythmia, or an irregular heartbeat. Although cardiologists showed they are not a threat, they had led to him to episodes of hyperventilation and stress, and he will now undergo a medical procedure to try and rectify the problem. He intends to return to competition as soon as possible.

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Gregor Brown

Gregor Brown is an experienced cycling journalist, based in Florence, Italy. He has covered races all over the world for over a decade - following the Giro, Tour de France, and every major race since 2006. His love of cycling began with freestyle and BMX, before the 1998 Tour de France led him to a deep appreciation of the road racing season.