Remco Evenepoel 'almost back on the rollers' after fractures from horror crash, targets Classics return

Remco Evenepoel provided a detailed update on when he was aiming to return from injury, adding that he was "almost back on the rollers". Last month, the double Olympic champion fractured his ribs, right shoulder blade and right hand after being hit by a van door while training in Belgium. Evenepoel also sustained two bruised lungs and a dislocated collarbone.

Soudal Quick-Step rider Remco Evenepoel provided a detailed update on when he was aiming to return from injury and said that he was "almost back on the rollers".

The double Olympic champion fractured his ribs, right shoulder blade and right hand after being hit by a van door while training in Belgium in early December. 

The incident also saw him endure two bruised lungs and a dislocated collarbone, while his S-Works bike was snapped in half on impact. 

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However, Evenpoel said he was making progress in his return to fitness and that he would return to indoor cycling at the weekend.

"The first couple of weeks after my injury were difficult, because this happened just as I was preparing to start training again, but I tried to take my mind off this during the holidays and things are better now," the Belgian explained on Friday.

"It’s been almost five weeks now that I didn’t do any proper sports, which means that I have been off the bike for 10 weeks now.

"That’s why the most important thing for me is to start my rehab and jump on the rollers, hopefully on Saturday. 

"I will combine riding with physio sessions. I am ready mentally to be back on the bike, but I won’t push myself to go all in from the beginning, because I want to make a full recovery of my shoulder."

Evenepoel celebrates after winning men's road time trial gold at last year's Paris Olympics

Image credit: Getty Images

He continued: "The reason I’m not going outside yet is that the shoulder isn’t ready to absorb the shocks of the road.

"I hope to restart training outside at the beginning of February, that would be the best scenario at this point.

"As I said, it wasn’t easy when this happened, especially as it was my second injury on that side in the same year and I was coming after an excellent summer – which was one of the best moments of my career – but I got a lot of support from my family and my team and eventually stopped thinking about this and focused instead only on my recovery."

Evenepoel said he was looking to make his comeback at Brabantse Pijl in the Classics, and that should everything go to plan, it is possible that he could start the Tour de Romandie.

He said: "I hope to be back for Brabantse Pijl, which is close to my home and would serve as a strong motivation. 

"I think it’s easier to return to competition in one-day races instead of stage races, and I love the Ardennes Classics, so hopefully I will be in good shape by then, in three months’ time.

"If everything goes well in the Classics, maybe I will also start the Tour de Romandie, just to add a couple more days of racing. 

"Then I will do the Criterium du Dauphine, the National Championships, and of course, go to some altitude training camps. 

"I want to be at 200% for the Tour de France, and if things go as planned and I continue to improve, I am confident I can start there in a strong form and fight for a good result."

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