Allan Peiper: After recovering from cancer, I know better than most the challenges of self-isolation

In this week's column from UAE Team Emirates, technical director Allan Peiper talks candidly about his recovery from cancer and why the swift actions of the UAE government helped limit the spread of the coronavirus during the UAE Tour

UAE Team Emirates technical director Allan Peiper. Courtesy UAE Team Emirates

Just over six weeks ago the UAE Tour was cancelled with two stages remaining due to suspected cases of Covid-19. All riders, support staff, race organisers and media were immediately placed in isolation in their Abu Dhabi hotels and instantly tested.

In my opinion, it was due to these swift actions of the UAE government that the disease didn’t spread further through the peloton and the cases were contained. Since then, governments globally have used the same protocol and halted the majority of sporting events and put strict policies in place to reduce the spread of the virus.

Being in lockdown is tough, but it is the right decision. I more than most understand the importance of the many having to make a sacrifice for the few; those more vulnerable or at risk from the disease.

Twelve months ago, I took a sabbatical from my role as technical director of UAE Team Emirates and didn’t know if or when I was going to return to the sport I love.

I had been diagnosed with cancer for the second time in five years. I spoke with the team and headed home after the Paris-Roubaix race to begin the first of six rounds of chemotherapy. The cancer was detected in my prostate but had spread to one of my lungs and even my bones. I thought my career was over.

Over the course of my treatment, I lost a lot of weight, my hair fell out and my limbs would go numb, but I always kept faith. I received messages of support from cyclists, both past and present, that were a huge inspiration to me and helped me through my recovery.

I was lucky to have good people around me and am very thankful for that. I ended up treating my body as if I was a professional again! Eventually, I came out the other side.

Six months on and I have now returned home to endure a different type of isolation. I am healthy but because of my low immune system, I thought it would be best if I came back to Belgium where my wife and I both live.

Everyone is dealing with the lockdown in different ways, we are very lucky in that we have a garden. I know a lot of people don’t have that space and aren’t as fortunate, but here in Belgium we’re allowed out with one other person as long as we stay two metres apart and respect strict social distancing rules.

The first days of lockdown, your life feels a little derailed. Your mind is still working full gas, so your fears and desires keep coming up. Once they subside, you get to a place where can find time to reflect.

Last week I was still a little fearful of getting sick. I was constantly worrying if I had been in contact with anyone, worried about those around me and also worried about my job.

My job, as one of the technical directors of UAE Team Emirates is to work with the team; plan for races, advise on strategy and direct the team during those races. Like a coach in other sports, the job is high pressure and fast moving, so you must be on top of your game to get the best out of the team.

I came through that first period of lockdown because I realised most of what was going on in my mind is out of my control unless I come into contact with someone who has the virus. I’ve found some form of rhythm now and that’s helped me in my day to day life.

Bike riding has been paused for the time being as longer forms of exercise may be too much of a risk, but most mornings, I get up early and go for a long walk, usually around 8-10 kilometres. It’s important during this time to still try and remain as active as possible both physically and mentally.

I’ve had five years of ongoing cancer treatment, with the biggest year being last year with the chemotherapy. There were moments where I genuinely feared for my life. That’s probably helped me now because I have had to self-isolate before due to my cell count sometimes being low.

That personal experience helped, but my concern is more about how we’re going to move forward and how society comes through this together.

This is a real shake up, but we have a real opportunity in that sense because I have been out recently, and the stars have never looked brighter. People aren’t travelling, the skies are clearing, and when you pause for a moment, you remember that, despite what’s going on, the world is still a beautiful place.

That gets drowned out by all the noise sometimes, and I know that at some point the cars will start up again and we’ll be back to normal.

I can’t wait to get back to racing and the sport I love but I hope that we can use this time to find a period of reflection in terms of how we all live our lives and come back stronger than ever.

We will get through this.