The cyclist Jilke Michielsen died at 19 years as a result of a bone cancer. During her career, the Belgian athlete won three national titles in the junior category, including the road championship in 2022, the time trial championship in 2023 and the omnium track event, also in 2022.
The impact of the news led the president of the International Cycling Union (UCI), David Lappartientto transmit his regret publicly: “The cycling world regrets the loss of Jilke Michielsenwho died at 19 years. His bravery and strength inspired many, beyond cycling. On behalf of @UCI_cycling, I extend my deepest condolences to his family and loved ones. Jilke we will never forget you.”
In November 2023, he had posted a photo with his bike and announced: “End of my cycling chapter. It is with great sadness that I have to say that things are temporarily ending here for me. It’s time to ride the toughest and most difficult time trial of my life. Maybe we’ll see each other in a few years!!”
Nine months later, she again shared a post on her Instagram account in which she reported that she had overcome cancer: “Exactly 9 months ago, my whole life changed. From a girl who lived for her sports to someone who fought for her life. My days consisted of chemotherapy, blood transfusions, surgeries, scans, days lying on the couch and much more. It wasn’t ‘normal’ life like before. You don’t really realize what you’re missing until you no longer have it. But after 9 months of suffering and seeing those around me suffering, all I see now are happy tears. A feeling that no one will understand if you haven’t been through it. Thank you to everyone who supported me so much and especially thank you to my body for continuing to fight! “Now I will be able to climb each mountain even faster without the weight of that cancer.”
In 2025, the cancer returned and he began chemo again, a treatment that did not prevent him from enjoying free time and vacations with his family and friends. In February, she shared a heartbreaking post: “Everyone can feel the stress of a scan result, it takes days to come back. Conversations that mean nothing on the way there. All to distract you from those last few seconds. Until you’re in a waiting room and you have to wipe away your tears. The doctor comes to get you but you can’t take your eyes off his face. You start telling him how the pain had lessened in the last few days. But then she snaps you out of this dream. ‘Cancer has returned and if you want this yourself, you can start chemotherapy again. This treatment is to suppress everything, unfortunately we will no longer be able to get rid of the cancer.’ You sit there for 5 minutes without saying anything. Amazing how this can be, but determined to do everything possible to stop it. It will get hard, but I cherish every moment. “Weeds don’t die.”
Michielsen announced on April 16 that he would suspend his chemotherapy treatment due to physical exhaustion: “Unfortunately, I can’t stand the chemotherapy anymore. I haven’t been keeping food in the last few days and my blood is not recovering as I expected. The only thing I can do is radiation. My body seems to have reached its maximum. As much as I wish it were different, this is all happening on a high-speed train. I hope it stops for a while.”
Before her death, the Belgian cyclist organized her own funeral, making her wish clear: “It doesn’t have to be a sad moment, I want to do something nice for everyone.”
