Several cyclists, including key competitors for the Giro d’Italia starting on Friday, have fallen ill following a recent one-day race in Belgium. The suspected culprit is cow manure on the race course, which may have contaminated the riders.

Among those affected are three riders from Lotto-Intermarché, who experienced symptoms such as abdominal pain, diarrhea, fever, and vomiting, prompting a brief hospital visit, as confirmed by the team from Bulgaria. Arnaud De Lie, the winner of the Famenne Ardenne Classic on Sunday, initially showed no signs of illness but began to feel nauseous during his flight to Bulgaria. The team reassured fans that his participation in the Giro is currently not at risk.

Only five of Lotto’s eight riders attended the race presentation on Wednesday, highlighting the impact of the illness.

Reports from Sporza indicate that other teams, including Alpecin, have also been affected, with Lotto’s sporting director Maxime Bouet stating, "Half the peloton is ill." The team suspects that the combination of wet roads and cow manure led to the contamination.

While the precise cause remains unconfirmed, campylobacter, a bacteria linked to gastrointestinal infections, is being investigated as a potential source.

In a separate incident, local authorities in Brussels reported vandalism at a monument honoring Eddy Merckx, a cycling legend. The mayor expressed outrage at the desecration of a symbol of national pride, with plans to repair the monument promptly and review CCTV footage to find those responsible.