Belgian rider continues his recovery after Il Lombardia crash.
On the day that should have seen him start his first Grand Tour – the 103rd Giro d’Italia – Remco Evenepoel made an important step in his rehab, taking his Specialized bike out for a ride for the first time since abandoning Il Lombardia seven weeks ago.
Winner of four stage races this season – Vuelta a San Juan, Volta ao Algarve, Vuelta a Burgos and Tour de Pologne – the 20-year-old embarked Saturday morning on a 70km loop around the region he lives, which he completed after two and a half hours – a ride which he admitted did wonders for his confidence.
“I can’t tell you how happy I am today after my first time outside in almost two months! The weather wasn’t great, but I enjoyed every single moment spent on the road. I made this step only after talking with the team’s doctors and it just so happened that I returned on the day I should have been in Palermo with the Wolfpack for the start of the Giro d’Italia”, Evenepoel explained. “It’s kind of special and acts as a huge morale-boost, one that motivates me to work even harder as I stride to come back stronger. If the weather will be good, I will combine these outdoor rides with gym sessions over the next few weeks as I continue my recovery.”
Photo credit: ©Wout Beel
