Jan Tratnik overcame his darkest days to take his 'most beautiful' win at Omloop Het Nieuwsblad

When Jan Tratnik joined QuickStep at the start of the 2011 season it looked as though the young Slovenian had a bright future ahead of him.

A late-comer to the sport, the then 20-year-old had just signed with one of the biggest teams in the world, but several years affected by a serious eating disorder left him questioning his place in cycling and almost saw him walk away entirely.

Then, on Saturday the 34-year-old became the first Slovenian to win Omloop Het Nieuwsblad with a daring attack and sprint over Nils Politt, and while much of the focus was on the result and the dominance of Tratnik’s Visma-Lease a Bike, it was also worth taking a moment to remember just how hard the veteran has fought to overcome the physical and mental aspects that once loomed so large.

Perspective is a rare commodity in elite sport, and in cycling it’s very much an environment in which it's ‘onto to the next race’ but Tratnik’s openness to talk about his past and help young riders is a worthy element that has formed part of his renaissance.

• Read more: Omloop Het Nieuwsblad: Jan Tratnik takes first big Classics victory

Tratnik has bravely talked about his eating disorder in the past. In 2023 he opened up to Siol.net about the lost years and his time spent in the lower ranks of the peloton after he left QuickStep after just one season. He stated that while some athletes do not feel comfortable discussing the important topic of diet, and the pressures that can lead to problems - especially within elite sport - he was willing to open up about his experiences.

“Many people have asked me if I ever think about what used to happen to me,” he told the Slovenian publication.

“My eating disorder problems lasted for three to four years. Today, I have no problem with it, nor am I afraid to talk about it. Some people who had a similar experience don't like to talk about it so they don't start reliving that period again, well, it's the other way around for me, I like to talk about it and I'd like to help others. Eating disorders in sports, including cycling, are certainly still present. I think I can help a lot of people just by talking openly about it…”

Tratnik talks about his past for another reason too. He wants to open up a debate so that younger riders, who might struggle with the same or similar issues, know they’re not alone and that help is out there for them.

“It's a topic I'm not ashamed to talk about. I had to put a lot of effort into turning the resulting curve around, and not only in cycling terms. But I notice that there are a lot of young people today who just want to have a contract, and when they fail for the first time, they give up immediately.”

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On Saturday, following his victory in Belgium, the Visma-Lease a Bike rider once more took on that mantle of responsibility when asked about his battles. The finish line of a race, and a winner's press conference, are not easy positions in which to talk about such personal topics but Tratnik’s willingness to share is notable and deserves recognising for its bravery.

“I've said that many times. I had eating disorders. I ate too much, I ate too little. Everything. Ultimately I ended up with a small team (Tirol Cycling Team),” he said according to Het Nieuwsblad.

“It's not the most brilliant career but it is a famous one. I learned a lot. I learned that cycling is just a part of life, and you should also enjoy it. Because when the career stops, life continues as usual.”

Tratnik has also had to overcome a major injury suffered on the eve of the 2023 Giro d’Italia when a driver hit the rider during a time trial recon. The incident left him with a broken kneecap and many felt that his entire season was over. However, he returned to race the Vuelta a Espana and help his team take a famous 1,2,3 in Madrid.

“Last year I fell in the Giro and broke my knee. They told me my season was over. But two days later I started working again,” he said on Saturday.

“After four weeks I was back on the bike. I still made it to the Vuelta. Don't stress and believe everything is possible: that is my motto. The only condition is that the person who has to do it believes in himself. Ultimately, I learned a lot from those difficulties. If you win the Omloop het Nieuwsblad like today, then I should not only be proud of myself, but this also gives me motivation for the future. I am 34 years old, but age doesn't mean much.”

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“I have lost many years. But I mainly learned how to deal with mental problems and that cycling is actually only part of your life.”

February 26 to March 3 is Eating Disorders Awareness Week in the UK. For more information on the topic please visit edaw.beateatingdisorders.org.uk. Other helpful resources include ANAD and NEDA.