There are several photos of Jilke Michielsen on the web, but one in particular touches our hearts as we write the news we never wanted to write. The image shows the Belgian girl on her bike: her eyes follow the road and a goal to achieve, her gaze conveying determination and fighting spirit.

With determination and fighting spirit, Jilke also fought the battle against Ewing's sarcoma, that bone tumor diagnosed in 2023 which sadly took her away yesterday.

Born on January 5, 2007, Jilke Michielsen was strong. In the youth categories she had won national titles in time trials and track cycling and, above all, in 2024 she had managed to "drop" that insidious opponent, thus being able to return to planning her university studies and dreaming of participating in the Kigali World Championships.

Then, in March of last year, the illness returned and Jilke had shared it on her Instagram page writing: «...The cancer is back... but I am determined to do everything possible to make it. It will be tough, but I'm enjoying every moment»

To her toughest opponent, Jilke Michielsen had recently written a message: «Hey cancer, would you mind taking a break for a moment? You're going too fast and my body can't keep up...».

Many messages of condolence have appeared on social networks in recent hours. The Belgian cycling federation wrote: «We will always remember your beautiful smile, your fighting spirit and your optimism» while Lotto-Dstny remembered Jilke as an «admirable example of courage» accompanying the message with the photo you see on the cover.