Veronica Ewers will not be returning to professional cycling. The American rider from the EF Education-Oatly team has decided together with her team to end her career in order to concentrate fully on her health. The reason for this step is the persistent Relative Energy Deficit in Sport (RED-S), which Ewers has been struggling with since the beginning of her career. Although she had already taken an extended break in the 2024 season to support her recovery, recent blood tests before the training camp for the 2026 season showed that her hormone levels continue to indicate RED-S.
This condition is caused by an imbalance between energy intake and consumption in athletes and can lead to serious health consequences. "The team gave me time to recover, but unfortunately it was not enough time for my body to fully heal," Ewers explained in her team's official statement. The decision to withdraw from the contract was made by mutual agreement to take the pressure off the athlete and allow her to focus on her recovery without the demands of professional cycling.
Comprehensive medical care despite end of contract
Despite the cancellation of her contract, Ewers will continue to receive support from her current team. The team's medical staff, therapists and nutritionists will also be available to the American during her time away from cycling. "The health and long-term well-being of our riders is always our top priority, and that has guided this difficult decision," emphasised EF Education-Oatly team manager Esra Tromp. She also paid tribute to Ewers' courage and commitment during her time with the team. The rider herself emphasised the necessity of this step: "Now is the time to focus on my health, because if I don't, I will continue to be stuck in a healing body that can neither perform nor fully heal. If I ever want to ride at the highest level again, I need to take the time to fully recover and then compete with a fully functional body."
At this point, you will find external content that complements the article. You can display and hide it with a click.
RED-S as a growing problem in cycling
The Relative Energy Deficit in Sport (RED-S) is a growing problem in competitive sport and particularly in cycling. It occurs when athletes do not consume enough calories to compensate for their high energy consumption during training and competitions. The consequences can be serious and range from hormonal disorders and loss of bone density to psychological problems. This problem is particularly prevalent in women's cycling, where low body weight is often associated with performance. In its press release, EF Pro Cycling refers to the "Project RED-S" initiative as a valuable point of contact for those affected. The team has already done educational work on this topic in the past and emphasises the importance of a healthy balance between nutrition and training. The case of Veronica Ewers shows how serious and protracted the effects of RED-S can be, even when professional medical care is available. Recovery can take months or even years and often requires a complete reorganisation of the training and nutrition concept.
Leon Weidner
Working student
