Olympic champion’s comeback delayed after diagnosis reveals nerve damage from car door incident
Remco Evenepoel’s recovery from a crash in December has encountered an unexpected obstacle. The Olympic champion, who was knocked off his bike by an opening car door, recently revealed that scans have detected nerve damage in his injured shoulder, which is likely to extend the timeline for his recovery.
Evenepoel shared the news over the weekend, explaining that the nerve damage was affecting the outer muscles of his shoulder, rendering them “a bit inactive.” Speaking to Sporza’s Sportweekend, the Belgian rider noted that significant rehabilitation would be required to stimulate and revive the muscles. “We have to work very hard to give those muscles stimuli and let them live,” he said. “So it will take a bit longer than hoped.”
While Evenepoel is unsure whether the injury will impact his participation in the spring Classics, he confirmed his plans to return to racing in April at Brabantse Pijl, followed by the Amstel Gold Race, Fléche Wallonne, and Liège-Bastogne-Liège. However, he added, “We are still assuming the Brabantse Pijl as the starting date, but we can always move it if necessary.”
The Tour de France remains a key goal for Evenepoel, and with months to go, he is confident that he will be able to participate, although his performance in the Ardennes Classics will depend on his recovery. “Fortunately, the Tour de France is still a long way off. That will definitely go ahead, but I have to see in what condition I can start the Ardennes,” he clarified.
Despite the setback, Evenepoel continued his rehabilitation, riding on a stationary bike for the first time at the weekend. According to DH Les Sports, he completed an hour-long session on Zwift at a moderate intensity of 181 watts, a low output that he does not expect to maintain for long.
The accident occurred early in December when Evenepoel collided with the door of a Belgian postal vehicle that opened suddenly in front of him. At the time, Soudal-Quick Step team boss Patrick Lefevere explained, “I only know that someone opened his door and Remco crashed into it. Such accidents unfortunately happen five times a day.”
Following the incident, Evenepoel underwent surgery for a series of injuries, which included a fractured rib, shoulder blade, and hand, as well as contusions to his lungs and a dislocated clavicle. He shared the details on social media, expressing his frustration over the extent of the damage, including tears to the surrounding ligaments.
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