Evenepoel has injury setback ahead of season start

Sensational youngster Remco Evenepoel has been slowed down by niggling problems in his comeback from his horrific crash at the Giro Il Lombardia last season.

Remco Evenepoel (Deceuninck - Quick-Step) was involved in a horrific crash at the Giro Il Lombardia. Source: Getty

Despite making great progress early in his recovery, the 20-year-old has revealed a slight setback in his return to racing, but still hopes to race his first Grand Tour this season. 

Evenepoel detailed his issues in a group interview with cycling journalists.

“I have a small surprise for you guys," said Evenepoel. "There were some small difficulties, all part of the rehab process.

"To be honest, we don't know yet when I'll be able to restart because we slowed the comeback down a bit to give my body time to get ready to be 100 per cent." 

"I had some small problems and didn't feel comfortable on the bike, so I didn't know when and where I'll be ready to restart.”

Evenepoel was taking the cycling world by storm, he won every stage he took part in during the 2020 season and was in the select front group at Il Lombardia before crashing off a bridge and falling several metres down into a ravine.

He has made a good recovery after the worst was initially suspected, but the 20-year-old will have to be a bit more patient in his jounrey back from a pelvis fracture and a contusion to his right lung.

“I'm not a doctor so I don't know the specific words but it's just a bit of pain in the area where the fractures were so sitting down on a saddle for a few hours is still hard," said Evenepoel. "It needs to be fixed before being 100 per cent on a bike.”

“We don't know [what the doctors say about returning]. The body will give the answers, so we will see.

We stepped off the bike for a few weeks now already. I'm still able to have some cardio training like walking and swimming."

Evenepoel was on track for a tilt at the Giro d'Italia title in 2020, and will again set himself for the Italian Grand Tour in 2021. 

"Maybe we were a bit ahead of schedule too fast, so no panic," said Evenepoel. "We are aiming to be ready for the Giro of course. I still cannot say when and where I'll restart or be able to race but we're aiming to finally go to the Giro."

"I'm not behind schedule because from the first day we said we were trying to be 100 percent on the bike in February, so we're not behind." 

Evenepoel is still regarded as one of the best cyclists around, despite his age, and he'll be closely watched by all upon his return.