Jacob Rathe Blog: Pedalling through sand for years

Jacob Rathe finishes fifth on the stage

Jacob Rathe finishes fifth on the stage (Image credit: Rob Lampard)

I found myself in a glorious yet potentially embarrassing situation all of the sudden. I was in the 2013 Tour of Flanders and I made the breakaway. It’s a great place to be, a real opportunity to perform in one of the most spectacular and prestigious arenas in cycling.

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Twenty-four-year-old Jacob Rathe was recently diagnosed with Iliac Artery Endofibrosis after more than two years of struggling with cramping and pain in his left leg. The former Garmin-Sharp rider, who now competes for Jelly Belly-Maxxis, underwent surgery on June 27 to correct the problem, which has affected more and more professional cyclists such as Joe Dombrowski, Mike Friedman and Stuart O'Grady. Rathe will keep Cyclingnews readers updated on the progress and struggles of his recovery as he attempts to regain the form that led him to the WorldTour at 21 years old.