A talented 19-year-old cyclist has died after a battle with an aggressive form of bone cancer – with tributes flooding in on social media
A talented 19-year-old sports star has tragically died after a battle with bone cancer.
Jilke Michielsen had been regarded as one of the most promising riders of her generation. However, she stepped away from the sport after being diagnosed with an aggressive form of bone cancer in 2023.
Her death was announced on Friday (May 15) with an Instagram post of cyclist looking into the camera with the caption: “don’t see, just enjoy”. And tributes have flooded in for the rider who was once seen as one of the standouts of her generation.
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Dino Vanthienen, the chairman of her former cycling team GMS Cycling Team Glabbeek, said: “Jilke was truly an example of a driven rider. She was always punctual and completed her training sessions down to the last detail. She rode her races to win.
“But above all, she was a very friendly person, someone you could enjoy and have fun with. For us, this is very sad news; everyone who rides or has ridden with us is part of our family. She leaves a huge void in our club…”
While podcaster Benji Naesen added: “Devastating to read about the passing of Jilke Michielsen, after battling bone cancer over the last few years. My thoughts are with her family and friends.”
Michielsen had been given the all clear to get back onto the bike over the winter – but more scans earlier this year revealed the disease had returned.
In a heartbreaking interview earlier this month, she said: “It all changed quickly. Until a few weeks ago, the treatment was working well. Then I suddenly started feeling worse, listless.
“It turned out that I was no longer producing blood cells, because chemo also attacks your healthy cells.
“I was no longer recovering; my body was worn out. That is when the doctors decided to stop the chemo. That hit hard.”