American pro-cyclist the Veronica Ewers has declared that she will temporarily withdraw from competition at the elite level to focus on her complete recuperation in her battle with the condition known as Relative Energy Deficit sport (RED-S). The announcement that has drawn an outpouring of attention from the cycling world, reveals the increasing debate about longevity of health and wellbeing for athletes as well as the unspoken toll that endurance sporting activities can bring.
A Difficult but Courageous Decision
Ewers announcement was a deeply personal. Following a series of medical examinations and tests, she was able to determine the hormones were extremely low — which is the hallmark indication of RED-S. Despite attempts to improve her health during the past, such as better fueling practices, regular meetings with nutritionists, as well as periods of less exercise load but her body was in a state of regaining normal hormonal functioning.
Instead of pushing ahead, Ewers made the difficult decision to put off her racing career professionally. She explains that racing being in a state of discomfort was as if “beating her head against the wall,” insisting the body’s need for to be reset completely, rather than tiny adjustments.
The decision was taken together with her teammates, who were supportive of her decision to quit to focus on getting better. That means she won’t be competing in any race or training in 2026 -an action she believes is essential to safeguard her health over the long run and possibly allow an eventual possibility of returning.
Understanding RED-S and Why It Matters
Relative Energy Deficiency in Sports is a condition that results from an energy imbalance that occurs when an athlete is burning significantly greater calories that they consume. This constant energy deficiency causes an unintended effect across the body, impacting hormone health, metabolism as well as the strength of bones, immune function and even mental well-being.
For women who are in the midst of menstrual cycle, one of the most obvious symptoms is the decline in menstrual flow. In Ewers instance, she disclosed that she hadn’t ever had a period for many years, which is a clear sign of a prolonged lack of energy. As time passes, RED-S could result in severe negative effects like increased risk of injury as well as decreased bone density chronic fatigue, and cardiovascular issues.
Ewers willingness to publicly speak about these issues provides crucial awareness to a condition that which many athletes suffer from but do not discuss. In endurance sports, where the importance of lightness, power-to weight ratio and a high volume of training are often the focus — Red-S has become more prevalent. Ewers’ story highlights the importance of the proper use of fuel, rest and medical monitoring are essential for health and performance over the long term.
The Challenges Behind the Scenes
Ewers’ meteoric rise in professional cycling was swift and dazzling. When she joined the WorldTour and establishing herself as among the top American riders on the peloton, achieving the top marks in race events and swiftly becoming a favorite among fans. However, in the background was a body that was challenged to the limits for more than 10 years.
Although she worked with experts to improve the amount of fuel she consumed and to improve her lifestyle, the damage from her previous years of inadequate fueling was already caused. Her body struggled to bounce back in a way that allowed her to restore normal hormonal functions even after a few strategic breaks from racing. The pressure to resume racing, both internal as well as externally — caused recovery to be even more difficult.
In this season, following another set of blood tests that were troubling and a clear sign that competing at a high level was not compatible with her recovery process. For Ewers her choice was one of either putting more stress on her body or taking a step back in order to give her the opportunity to completely heal.
What This Means for Women’s Cycling
Ewers”temporary retirement” arrives in a moment when the cycling community is looking at athlete wellbeing. Her candor will likely influence the way coaches, teams and sporting organizations deal with the management of energy, nutrition and medical oversight — particularly for women, whose health indicators are often misinterpreted or ignored.
Her decision also eliminates an important competitor from the women’s race. Ewers race style, which was abrasive and regularity in stage races and rapid development brought joy to the fans and altered the nature of major events. Although her absence will be felt, a lot of believe her story will motivate other athletes to talk openly about their issues and seek out help prior to conditions getting worse.
A Focus on Healing and the Future
Ewers has made it clear that this break doesn’t necessarily signify an end to her career in cycling. Instead, she sees this as a way to invest in her overall health as an athlete and as a individual. She expressed her hope that with enough rest, time, and adequate recovery, she will one day return to competitive sports. However, for the moment her main focus is recovering, restoring hormone balance, as well as allowing the body be able to function as it did before.
She also mentioned that taking a step away from the demands of sports allows her to indulge in the things she enjoys such as running, hiking, and cycling in general — without the risk of a further decline in her health.
A Turning Point for Athlete Health Conversations
Veronica Ewers’ decision marks an important day in the professional world of cycling. It is a clear reminder that elite athletes aren’t unstoppable machines. They are human beings whose bodies need nutrition, care and the ability to balance. Her candidness about RED-S dispels the stigma surrounding the condition, assisting others to recognize the signs and seek help.
As the world of cycling rallies in support of her Ewers her story is a cautionary tale and an example: the The pursuit of success in sports should not be at the expense of your long-term health. making the decision to recover is among the most important decisions that an athlete could make.
FAQs
1. What is the reason Veronica Ewers taking a break from cycling?
She’s taking a break for a full recovery from RED S, which is a condition that results from prolonged fueling insufficiently.
2. What health issue is Veronica facing?
She is recuperating from RED-S, which had an impact on your hormones and energy levels and overall health.
3. Is she going to return to racing?
She is hoping to be back in the near future but only once her body is fully recovered.