Our rider will return on the bike at the end of the month.
Involved in a nasty crash with 107 kilometers to go at Sunday’s Paris-Roubaix, Iljo Keisse was taken to the Denain hospital immediately after the incident, where the scans showed a complex left elbow fracture. The 36-year-old was then transferred to the Herentals hospital, in Belgium, were last night he underwent surgery and had his arm put in a cast, which he’ll have to wear for ten days, before slowly getting back on the bike with a brace.
Iljo, who rode his eighth consecutive Paris-Roubaix, talked of the crash in which he was involved just ahead of the infamous Arenberg sector: “Paris-Roubaix is one of the most beautiful races in the world, but it’s beautiful only when you get through it without any crashes. Yesterday, I didn’t see the traffic furniture, which the rider in front of my avoided for a question of millimeters at the last moment, and so I crashed big time, but luckily that yellow safety cushion softened the impact, otherwise it could have been worse. I tried to get back, but I quickly realised that it wasn’t an option and my race was over, and knowing that I won’t be there for my squad made me sad.”
Instrumental in many of Deceuninck – Quick-Step’s victories this season, Keisse had a message for Philippe Gilbert, who finished off the team’s superb effort on Sunday, on the Roubaix velodrome: “Chapeau, Philippe! I always knew you could do it and I’m very happy for you! I was able to watch the final ten kilometers together with the team doctor, to whom I’m very grateful for having remained at my side at all times. I don’t know when it will happen, but I can’t wait to get back in the pack.”
Photo credit: ©Luc Claessen/ Getty Images
