May 21, 2014 (Belgium) – The global cyclo-cross world was stunned on March 19 when two-time Belgian CX Worlds champ (2009 and 2012), Niels Albert, 28, announced in a press conference his premature retirement due to recently diagnosed cardiac arrhythmia that could be fatal under extreme conditions.

“It hurts a lot to stop my career so abruptly after six years as a pro. In these difficult circumstances, I would like to thank all those on my side… my family, friends, wife Chantal, the whole team and entourage, sponsors, supporters, all the organizers,” said an emotional Albert.

One of the sport’s truly all-time greats, Albert, a hugely popular and fierce competitor, also won the overall CX World Cup title in 2011 and 2013 and was a threat on any start line.

It was a sad day for the sport as Sven Nys, fellow Belgian and multi-decorated cyclo-cross racer, commented, “It’s a black day for Cyclo-cross.”