Even though Roy Jans hasn’t recorded an impressive number of victories in races this season when compared to the likes of Andre Greipel (Lotto-Belisol), Marcel Kittel (Giant-Shimano) or Arnaud Demare (FDJ), the 24-year old Belgian stood out as perhaps the most promising fast finisher riding for Pro Continental outfits. The Wanty-Groupe Gobert sprinter aims to make a further step forward and excel in the cobbled classics next spring, enjoying a selfless support provided by his fully dedicated team.

Jans opened his 2014 season in the best possible fashion, winning the points classification at the Tropicale Amisa Bongo with one stage victory – his first ever as a professional – and two runner up spots to his team-mate Robert taken in the process.

“In the beginning I struggled with the high temperatures but after 2 days I was used to it. The race was really well organised and it was a nice Tour,” the 24-year old rider recalled.

A highly promising performance in the African event was followed by another runner-up spot in the Vuelta a Andalucia stage into Sevilla, but from that point on a spring campaign was a disappointing experience for the 24-year old Belgian. The Wanty-Groupe Gobert sprinter had hoped to excel in cobbled classics on his very home soil, but the Pfeiffer disease from which he suffers thwarted his plans.

Reflecting on this difficult period – which forced him to call his 2014 season as the one of ups and downs despite several stand out performances, Jans gave a closer insight into his life with a disease and explained how it affects him as a professional athlete.  

“It was a season with ups and downs. I started the season very well, with a victory and many 2nd places, before I started to feel tired and sick. So I went to the doctor and they noticed I had Pfeiffer disease. After that, I came back stronger than before but I still got ill a lot. So, I needed to comeback every time after I got sick,” Jans explained in an interview for CiclismoInternacional.

"The laryngitis and the fever are usually short term symptoms. I had the flu and fever for just one week. But the tiredness can last a very long time. Some people are very tired for just one week, and then it’s over. Others have problems for months. Most internet sites and encyclopedias say it lasts 3 to 4 weeks but the aftermath can take years. I was tired every autumn and spring for a few years. In the summer and the winter I felt better. But it’s tricky the fatigue is different per person, so you can never know when Glandular fever is over,” the 24-year old Belgian continued.

“There is no medicine for it. You just have to ‘listen to your own body’. So sleep enough and do not overexert yourself. When you feel you have to stop, then stop. If you don’t, the disease will last longer. Of course eating many fruits and vegetables and drinking fruit juice is healthy too. You have to drink plenty of water, but not too much. Drinking water helps you to remove the waste products. It’s sensible to drink little to no alcohol, because it affects your liver.”

Thinking of his 2014 season, Jans pointed out to his runner-up spot behind Jens Debusschere (Lotto-Belisol) claimed in the national championship road race as the best moment, confessing that he hadn’t expected himself to perform at such level after struggling with the illness whole spring.

“In the beginning of the season it was my main goal to perform well at the nationals, but due to my Pfeiffer I thought I couldn’t make it in good shape. But I worked hard once the doctor gave me the green light.”

There is always some feeling of disappointment for a fast finisher after coming short in a bunch sprint..

“The first moment when I crossed the finish line I was happy but already a few metres further I realised that I was really close to the victory, and it was a missed opportunity.”

Good performance at the Ster ZLM concluded with two top 5 finishes on stages was another highlight of Jans’ last season, giving him an important indication that he is able to fight against the likes of Kittel or Greipel.

“It’s nice to ride good results at races where there are many strong riders, like in Ster ZLM. It was the first time that I achieved a good result at a race with so many strong riders, so it was good for my confidence that I was able to perform well at bigger races.”

The Wanty-Groupe Gobert fast finisher obviously confirmed that missing out on the Flemish classics campaign was the biggest disappointment of the passing year.

“Due to my Pfeiffer disease I missed the classics in Belgium and a lot of beautiful races.”

Still progressing as a sprinter, the 24-year old rider revealed that he was more pleased with improvement made in regards to his climbing abilities, which always made his suffer in hilly races.

“This season I made a lot of progress on short climbs, last season I always struggled on climbs, but this season this goes much smoother.”

Jans revealed that, in fact, he currently prefers to test himself on more challenging courses, and as a typical Belgian doesn’t mind the wind or rain.

Finishing 4th in Paris-Tours was huge! Were you happy with your performance?

I was really happy with this 4th place. Paris-Tours is a classic and it’s a really nice race, which I really would like to win in the future.

“I prefer a challenging races, Jans said. “I like to ride in the wind and it doesn’t disturb me when it’s a rainy day.”

Thus, it comes as no surprise that he will do his utmost to excel in the cobbled classics next season, pointing out to the Gent-Wavelgem as one of him biggest objectives, along with another great performance at national championships.

Having an existing contract with Wanty-Groupe Gobert until the end of 2016, the 24-year old sprinter revealed to be perfectly satisfied with his current team. Even though a departure of his highly reliable lead-out man Jempy Drucker is a huge blow for Jans, Belgian squad manager promised to do his utmost strengthening his train for the upcoming season.

“Jempy Drucker and Danilo Napolitano are without doubt my best lead-out men. Unfortunately Jempy leaves the team and goes to BMC. Danilo has a lot of experience as a sprinter and I only need to follow him until the last 300m.”

“All the teammates are always motivated to make the most of all races,” he praised his team.