Enjoying the sunshine at the Tour of Qatar
Photo: © Ken Ilegems

The Ken Ilegems Diary

Telekom mechanic Ken Ilegems provides an occasional look behind the scenes into the mechanic's truck at the races.

Index to Ken Ilegems diary entries

Pink fever

On Tuesday May 7 we finished our preparation for the Giro. It had taken us about a week to prepare the materiel for the first big tour of the year. The riders were going to use the Pinarello Prince LS, with the standard Campagnolo Record 10 speed, but with the light Nokon cables and the Campagnolo Hyperon wheels for most of the stages.

After a last check of the truck everybody went home. I was feeling fine when I got home, thinking about all the things I had to pack in my suitcase. And then, suddenly, in a few minutes time I was sick as a dog. The day before I had to leave. After a visit to the doctor I found out that I had been struck down with a sort of flu.

A truckful of Princes
Photo: © Ken Ilegem

So no departure with the rest of the team for me. I arranged that I could join them a few days later and so it happened. But unfortunately it was not the end of my misery. After the stage to Luxembourg I didnÕt feel well in the evening. First I thought that I was still a little weak from my sickness the week before, but to be sure I asked the team doctor, Dr Lothar Heinrich, to have a quick look at me. His diagnosis was like a lightning bolt from a clear sky. He told me I had mononucleosis and it was best to return home as soon as possible. I went home the next morning with team manager Walter Godefroot, who was visiting us that day.

I went to the Giro and never saw ItalyÉ

Wheely serious
Photo: © Ken Ilegem

For two weeks I couldnÕt do anything, I even had problems eating and had to settle for fluid replacement meals. The only thing I did, or tried to do, was watch the Giro on television. I saw Heppner taking the pink jersey in stage 6 and keep it until stage 16. It was a bit hard for me to watch it from my bed, missing out on such an achievement (and all the fun that goes with it, sitting in the first carÉ) but I was happy for the guys there.

After two terrible weeks things started to improve. Now, another two weeks later, I feel okay. But thereÕs still the virus in my blood so I have to take it easy on doctorÕs advice, rest a lot and stay home from the races. Lucky for me thereÕs the World Cup on televisionÉ

I hope to be back in the mechanics' peloton in a few weeks, it depends on my next blood results.

Till then,

Ken