Look who we have here! Remco Evenepoel sets return date: "It will be crucial for the Tour"

Remco Evenepoel talked with DH about the upcoming season. The 24-year-old Belgian of Soudal-Quick Step crashed hard during a training session on Tuesday, December 3, and sustained several fractures. While returning to cycling will take some time, Evenepoel is ambitious for the future.

The former Vuelta winner and reigning Olympic champion slammed hard on a car door during training. As a result, the superstar suffered a broken rib, fractured right shoulder blade, and broken right hand. Also, his lungs were bruised and his collarbone dislocated. Initial reports were not encouraging. "There were more injuries, too—especially that dislocated collarbone, where all the surrounding joints were broken, needed special attention. The recovery will take longer than after a previous crash," referring to his crash in the Tour of the Basque Country in April of this year.

Coach Klaas Lodewyck recently hesitated to consider plans for 2025. "In mid-January, we will probably only have a better idea of how far he has come. It is still very early. There is a good chance we will have to skip a month and a half and postpone the start of his season. Only then can we see what his first race could be and look forward to what is still possible towards the Walloon classics," the Belgian said. Evenepoel told himself, "If I can be on a bike outside again in February, I won't be able to race until the beginning of April."

Read more below the photo.

Evenepoel was considerably injured after his crash

Ardennes classics for Evenepoel aiming to win?

That prediction now appears to be pretty accurate. Evenepoel looks ahead to the Ardennes classics in an interview with DH. "The idea is to resume in the Brabantse Pijl and then ride the hilly classics to win," it sounds promising. "It's slowly improving; daily, I feel minor improvements. Sometimes, I still feel some pain in my shoulder. That means the injury is still healing and serious, after all. At home, I wear increasingly fewer slings to support my arm. When I go outside, I still wear it to avoid any wrong movement or contact."

On January 9, Evenepoel has to go to the hospital, and progress will be monitored. "I hope I will get the green light to start riding on the rollers, combined with power sessions with the physio." If allowed, he can start focusing on the climbing classics in April. "That will also be necessary to get a rhythm for the Tour," he says, adding that the Tour de France in July is still the main goal. The Giro d'Italia in May seems out of the question. "I can't help but accept it as it is. It will be a special year, but I must look ahead and adjust to the circumstances."

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