Remco Evenepoel is making progress in his return to fitness after injury and says he will resume indoor cycling at the weekend.
The multiple Olympic champion was hit by a Belgian postal truck during a training session in December and suffered multiple injuries. Avnepour suffered fractures to his ribs, hand and shoulder blade and required surgery. He also suffered a bruised lung and a dislocated collarbone. The Belgian’s gold S-Works bike was also broken in half due to the violent impact of the accident.
In a media release from his team Soudal Quick-Step, Evernepour discussed his progress since returning from injury and outlined his goals for the season. The 24-year-old said he was aiming for a “good result” at the Tour de France.
“The first few weeks after my injury were difficult because it happened just as I was getting ready to start training again, but I tried to shift my focus during the holidays and things are much better now,” Avnepour said. “I haven’t done any proper exercise in almost five weeks, which means I haven’t been on the bike for ten weeks.
“That’s why the most important thing for me is to start my recovery and jump on the rollers, hopefully on Saturday. I’ll combine the riding with physiotherapy sessions. I’m mentally ready to get back on the bike, but I’m not going to push myself to give it my all from the start because I want my shoulder to fully recover.”
“The reason I haven’t gone out yet is that the shoulders are not ready to absorb the impact of the road,” he added. “I hope to start outdoor training again in early February, that would be the best case scenario at the moment.
“As I said, it’s not easy for this to happen, especially because it’s my second injury in the same year and I’ve just had an outstanding summer – the best moment of my career But I had so much support from my family and team that I finally stopped thinking about it and just focused on my recovery.”
Evenepoel explained that his goal is to return to Brabantse Pijl in the Classics. He said if all goes to plan on the roads back home in Belgium, it’s possible he could start the Tour de Romandie before competing at the Dauphine circuit and the Belgian national championships.
“I think it’s easier to get back in a one-day race than a stage race,” he said. “I love the Ardennes Classics, so hopefully I’ll be in good shape in three months’ time.”
From there Avonpool will head to high altitude for final adjustments before heading to Lille to start the Tour de France.
He concluded: “I hope to go into the Tour de France at 200 per cent and if things go to plan and I continue to improve, I believe I can start strong and push for a good result.”
