Belgian cyclocross talent Jorian Verschueren died Thursday at age 31 after a three-year battle with brain cancer; Verschueren raced for the Pauwels Sauzen-Bingoal team until 2020.

Juggling a career as a school teacher with cyclocross, Verschueren had his best season in 2016, when he won seven races, including the Koppenberg Cross, for the second year in a row. Petite and powerful, Verschueren excelled in hilly races. She won a silver medal at the European Cross Championships in the 2015-2016 season.

According to Wielerflits.nl, a tumor was discovered in her brain during a physical exam in 2015, but doctors determined that no treatment was needed; in 2018 the tumor grew so large that she underwent surgery.

Despite her condition, Verschueren continued to race as of last October.

The Belgian Federation said, "Everyone at the Belgian Cycling Federation is deeply saddened by the news of the passing of Jolien Verschueren, who died last night at the age of 31. Jolien was known for her fighting spirit, but more than that she was a great teammate and friend. Our thoughts are with her family.