Cyclist forced to retire after getting allergy so serious it ‘stops you getting out of bed for 9-5'
Cyclist forced to retire after getting allergy so serious it 'stops you getting out of bed for 9-5'
Mason Hollyman has been forced to retire from professional cycling at the age of 24 after a doctor told him surprising news about his allergies
Mason Hollyman (M) had to end his career after his battle with severe allergies
(Image: Getty Images )
Mason Hollyman announced that he's been forced his promising cycling career due to severe allergies that have significantly impacted his performance.
Hollyman, who rode for the Anicolor Tien 21 team this season and spent the past two years with ProTeam Israel-Premier Tech, announced his retirement in a heartfelt YouTube video titled 'Why I Quit Pro Cycling'. In it, he shared his struggles with allergies, stating: "I've decided to step away from professional cycling.
"It's been a difficult few years for me. I've struggled badly with allergies. I guess it's not something you'd think would end someone's career, but in my case it's taken quite a big hit on me.
"I've suffered a lot for the last two or three years from them now. To be honest, it's made me think more and think deeply about what I'm doing, and question my love for racing specifically. I've come to the decision to stop."
Hollyman revealed that his health issues began in 2022, despite training well. He started feeling "empty" and "off the mark" during races, and things took a turn for the worse when he contracted Covid in 2023.
The 24-year-old took to YouTube to explain the severity of his allergies
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The young cyclist admitted that competing while dealing with his allergies had become an "impossible task". Hollyman revealed that his allergies became "definitely more prominent" following his diagnosis, with doctors advising him that most individuals with similar health issues struggle to maintain regular office jobs, reports Surrey Live.
"After some tests, it revealed that the IG – the inflammation brought on from allergies – was an incredible number," he shared. "I remember the doctor telling me most patients he had seen with this don't get out of bed for their nine-to-five office jobs in the morning. That was me after DNF'ing stage four of the Tour de Romandie.
"I guess it showed there was a serious issue there that needed solving. We managed to get it to a decent level, but still not really where it should be to be a professional cyclist.
"As we all know, the one or two per cent [of performance] that you're losing is the difference between winning and losing. Maybe I was losing even more than that," he added.
Hollyman started cycling with his family at the age of eight and, being the son of an avid cyclist, he fell in love with the sport. He joined Zappi Racing Team as an under-23 rider during his amateur days.
Mason Hollyman opened up about his health issues
(Image: AFP via Getty Images )
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Having turned professional in 2023, Hollyman had already spent two years with Israel-Premier Tech's academy and achieved two wins in his career. His first triumph was at the Volta a Portugal in 2021, followed by a win at the Tour of Taiwan last year.
Although Hollyman's professional cycling career has come to a close, he intends to keep up with cycle touring and aims to expand his YouTube channel to display life post-elite cycling. "I'm just happy I got to do my passion for so long," he added.
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