Emil Johansson was born in Trollhättan in Sweden on June 20, 1999 and began to ride a bike as a child. He stands out in 2017 when, practically as a teenager, he wins the FBM World Tour. But just a short time later, he is diagnosed with an illness.
Johansson was one of the MTB talents in 2017: very young and with a huge talent. But he was haunted, initially, by severe back pain and unusual fatigue. Then things got so bad that he couldn't even sit for more than 10 minutes because of the unbearable pain.
Emil begins to work with the support of coach Lenz Westner and a physiotherapist to try to recover the lost physical form but the situation becomes more and more difficult, as Dr. Christine Bachmann finds some spinal problems.
Johansson continues to complain of unusual tiredness, is subject to frequent illnesses with high fever and cold sweats. Finally the doctors diagnose him with the Epstein-Barr virus: this virus causes malaise, weakness and pain while Hashimoto's disease causes chronic inflammation that pushes the body to a high production of antibodies that attack the thyroid.
At the end of the 2018 season, Emil incredibly took part in the Red Bull Joyride, even finishing in fourth place and crossing the finish line in tears: "It's been a very tough year, I didn't think I could compete again, but here I am”His words upon arrival.
The Epstein-Barr virus and Hashimoto's disease are still present in his body but are treated with a specific diet, physiotherapy and medicines. The return to the saddle is told in a Red Bull TV documentary entitled “The Come Back” (here is the video below).
