Diagnosis of the Epstein-barr Virus (EBV) (mononucleosis) will force Stefan Küng to place his training for the 2016 season on hold, BMC Racing Team announced today.
 

The illness surfaced at the team's annual training camp in Denia, Spain, explained BMC Racing Team Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Max Testa.

"Stefan left the training camp a couple of days early and virology tests conducted by Dr. Patrik Noack of the Swiss Olympic Medical Center confirmed the diagnosis. Although the illness is not worrisome, EBV, commonly known as Glandular Fever, requires a minimum of a few weeks' rest. BMC Racing Team and the Swiss National Cycling Team's physicians are monitoring Stefan's clinical improvements on a regular basis," Dr. Testa explained.

Küng's recovery period is only a question of time.

"There are already signs of improvement in the past week and I'm working closely with my doctors to monitor my progress before determining when I will be able to train again. At the moment I am taking things day by day and I'm looking forward to getting back on the bike," said Küng.

In his debut year at the pro level, Küng won the Volta Limburg Classic and a memorable stage in the Tour de Romandie. He missed a big part of the season due to an injury sustained in his first grand tour, the Giro d'Italia.

It is not yet determined what influence Küng´s illness will have on his planned race schedule for the start of the 2016 season.

"Our priority is to ensure that Stefan rests as much as possible, and only resumes training when he is fit and healthy to do so," Dr. Testa said.