Remco Evenepoel declared an end to a hardship phase and unveiled his comeback to races.
Remco Evenepoel, the double Olympic champion and two-time winner of Liege-Bastogne-Liege, is set to return to racing on Friday at the Brabantse Pijl in Belgium. This comeback marks a significant milestone in Evenepoel's recovery from a series of injuries sustained last winter.
Evenepoel's road to recovery has been a tough one. He missed the early season races due to a broken collarbone and scapula from an accident in 2024, which required surgery. His return to racing saw some strong performances, including competing in the 2024 Tour de France where he finished third overall and won a stage.
However, in 2025, Evenepoel faced setbacks. He suffered a broken rib and illness that affected his performance and led to his withdrawal from the 2025 Tour de France around late July. These issues have delayed a fully consistent return to top-level racing after the Ardennes Classics and Brabantse Pijl.
Evenepoel's emotional post on Instagram ahead of his return to competition underscores the challenges he has faced. He described his recovery as "the hardest battle of my life so far". He also mentioned that he doubted his future during his rehabilitation.
Following Brabantse Pijl, Evenepoel is expected to compete in the Ardennes Classics (Amstel Gold, La Fleche Wallonne, Liege-Bastogne-Liege). His current race programme includes the Tour de Romandie and Criterium du Dauphine.
Evenepoel's injuries were sustained last winter when he was doored by the driver of a Belgian postal vehicle while training. He sustained multiple fractures, including of his shoulder blade, hand, ribs, and dislocated his collarbone. He also experienced nerve damage as a result of his injuries.
Evenepoel has expressed gratitude towards his Soudal Quick-Step medical team, his wife Oumi, his parents, and his fans for their support during his rehabilitation. He thanked the medical team for their assistance during his comeback after the crash at Il Lombardia in 2020.
Despite the challenges, Evenepoel is determined to return to the Tour de France this summer. He will face stiff competition from Jonas Vingegaard and Tadej Pogacar once again. Evenepoel's resilience and determination have been evident throughout his career, and his fans are eagerly awaiting his return to top-level racing.
Sports have been a significant part of Evenepoel's life, pushing him through a tough recovery period following injuries sustained last winter. Despite setbacks and lengthy absences from top-level racing, Evenepoel is set to compete again in upcoming cycling events such as the Brabantse Pijl, Ardennes Classics, Tour de Romandie, and Criterium du Dauphine, striving to regain his position in the Tour de France.
