Remco Evenepoel won the first race after returning, conquered Van Aerta

BRATISLAVA. Broken ribs, right shoulder blade, hand, bruising lungs and dislocation of the right clavicle. This was the balance of injuries that Remco Evenepoel suffered in December last year.

Paid for an unfortunate coincidence. During the training in Oetingen, he passed a postal car when his inattentive driver opened the door at the most inconvenient time. The Belgian couldn’t avoid them anymore.

The impact intensity is evidenced by the fact that his bike frame broke. « It seemed to be fainting, but he remained conscious. He had great pain, » the witness described the accident.

The double champion from the Olympics in Paris subsequently underwent an operation, after which his journey to return began. Finally, it lasted 135 days.

More than four months after the accident, Evenepoel returned to the carousel in the best possible way. He also won the Brabant arrow classic in front of his star compatriot Wour Van Aert.

« In recent days, I felt very good and wanted to win. It is incredible that it was against Wout on a track that doesn’t show me one hundred percent, » said Soudal Quick-Step leader.

Three serious accidents

For 25-year-old Evenepoel it was 60. Professional victory. He could have had more of them, but his career is marked by several serious falls.

In 2020, he fell into a ditch during the monumental classic around Lombard, which his parents said they were happy to live at all.

After the triumph in the third stage of Vuelta 2023, he ended up in the finish with a bloody face after a collision with a journalist and fell in Basque last April. The result was a broken clavicle and absence on the Tour de France.

After an incident with a postman, he couldn’t do anything for six weeks. Of course, he was worried about how the accident in training would affect his career.

« It was a difficult time. I had the same arm for the second time injured within six months, and in some moment I began to doubt whether it would be healthy and functional again, » Evenepoel said.

Video: The Remca Evenepoel’s journey for recovery after falling in training

Even before the start of the Brabant arrow, he admitted that one nerve in the shoulder is not yet healed, so part of the muscle is currently not working at all.

« If I were a tennis player, a volleyball player or a basketball player, my career would end. Fortunately I am a cyclist, » said a former promising football player.

During the difficult period, his wife Oumaimaima Rayane, who often accompanies him at the race, was a great support for the World Champion in the time trial.

« I was injured and mentally at the bottom. Without you, I would probably end my career, » he said publicly in social networks.

In addition, he wrote that they prayed a lot together at that time, and faith also helped him return to the bike. And although Christianity prevailed in Belgium, Evenepoel finds comfort in the teachings of Islam.

« I have discovered faith last year and it is something I share with oumi. Everyone should have their own relationship with faith. It gives me support, helps me walk through life. It’s something wonderful, » he replied at a press conference.

Rayane is a Belgian model who has Moroccan roots. This country in the north of Africa is almost exclusively Muslim. Evenepoel did not convert to Islam, but he is pleased with his wife.

« This will ensure a certain peace of mind and you can easily accept things that happen, » quotes the Belgian cyclist Specialized Cyclinguptodate website.

Van Aert again only the second one

The victory on the Brabant arrow confirmed that Evenepoel returned in good form. Although he often wins after solo attacks, this time he succeeded in a sprint against a man who also won the mass range on the Tour.

« I thought I was lost against Wout in the sprint. Plus, I went to the first position in the first position. However, in recent years I have gained more explosiveness and that’s why I tried, » he said after the race.

For the Visma-Lease and Bike rider, it was the second loss in the sprint during this spring class. In the end DWARS DOOR Vlaanderen race The whole team was sensationally stolen by American Neilson Powless.

Video: Shots from the Cycling Classics Brabant’s arrow 2025

To make the other places not enough, he lost a fight for the victory in the sprint with British Tom Pidcock in his debut on the Brabant Slip 2021.

« I was hoping for victory, especially in this situation when the sprint was deciding. But at the end I didn’t have the power. Remco was slowly killing me in the last hour and I was already on the limit when we started sprinting, » Van Aert said.

He accepted the loss with Evenepoel sports, but he will try to figure out why he is weaker in a spurt today than before. « Van Arert is still very good, but the level has increased, » said former professional Jan Bakelants.

A thirty -year -old native of Herentals is still waiting for the jubilee 50th victory. He last conquered all the opponents at last year’s Vuelta.

Triumph for a deceased friend

This victory was also an emotional character for Evenepoel. He devoted him to a family friend Pascal Vanherberghen, who recently died.

In addition to knowing himself very well with his father Patrick Evenepoel, he was a big fan of a talented Belgian. He only sporadically missed the race.

« He was the best friend of my parents. Normally he would be here. I hope he’s proud of me up there, » said a 25-year-old cyclist.

His father admitted that when Remco had an accident at a race around Lombardy, he and his wife were Vanherberghen for three days in the hospital. Even the winning bouquet after the race gave Evenepoel to him.

Video: Emotive welcoming Evenepoel with his friend’s family

The closest world champion of 2022 will be presented in action on Sunday during the Amstel Gold Race and next week, besides success at the Valonic arrow, will try to win the Monument Liége – Bastogne – Liége for the third time.

The same program has this Pogačar, so Evenepoel will take over the role of the main challenge of the Slovenian phenomenon from Mathieu van der.

« I hope Evenepoel can follow Pogačar’s attacks. I would like to see a sprint between the two of them, » added Bakelants, today Expert Sprovez.