Belgian cyclo-cross rider Jinse Peeters has announced a break from competition due to a herniated disc in her L5 vertebra, compounding a difficult season for the sport’s domestic peloton.

Spine Injury Halts De Ceuster Bouwkranen Rider’s Season

De Ceuster Bouwkranen competitor Jinse Peeters will miss upcoming cyclo-cross fixtures after medical checks revealed a herniated disc in her L5 vertebra, the athlete announced on her Instagram account. The 27-year-old explained that while the diagnosis brings clarity to months of persistent physical discomfort, accepting a forced layoff remains difficult.

“Unfortunately, I have to take a break for the coming period due to a hernia in my L5 vertebra,” Peeters said in a statement. “It is difficult to take a step back when your head is full of goals and you just want to race.”

Peeters Focuses on Rehabilitation After Poor Race Results

Peeters has started three cyclo-cross races this year, successfully completing two of them, though she finished outside the top twenty in each appearance. Despite the lack of immediate results, the diagnosis identifies the root cause of the physical pain that has hampered her training and racing over recent months.

The rider from Mol intends to approach her rehabilitation incrementally without setting a fixed return date, emphasizing that the stoppage represents a temporary pause rather than a permanent retirement from the discipline.

Broader Roster Challenges in Belgian Cyclo-Cross

Peeters’ announcement arrives during a challenging period for Belgian off-road cycling. The domestic circuit recently absorbed the news that reigning Belgian champion Marion Norbert Riberolle is sidelined with cardiac arrhythmias, further depleting the start lists for upcoming events.