Kris Boeckmans says he cannot remember anything about the Vuelta a España crash that left him in an induced coma for over a week, but insists he's now well on his way to recovery.
The Lotto-Soudal sprinter went down hard on his face in a 30-rider crash on stage eight of the Vuelta and was placed in a coma at a Murcia hospital. After he was woken up, Boeckmans was transferred to a Belgian hospital where he underwent eight hours of facial surgery that left him unable to speak for two weeks.
But the Belgian was pictured back on his bike at the end of September as he continued his remarkable recovery.
"On a scale of one to ten I came from so far away that now I am almost at zero," Boeckmans told reporters.
"Physically, I feel like I can handle more and more, but I can not force myself. I can already do five minutes on the bike."
"I sometimes have that dirty feeling like you've been to the dentist. I have no headache, but do feel tired. As soon as I feel a slight pressure on my brain, I stop and I'm have to rest."
Thank you for reading 5 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access
Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription
Join now for unlimited access
Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
-
-
Julian Alaphilippe says 'broken bones were still painful' when he resumed training - but remains optimistic of Tour de France return
The Quick-Step Alpha Vinyl rider is with his team training in Sierra Nevada as he suggests returning for the Tour de France is still possible
-
Doing more cycling in the 'sweetspot' training zone could revolutionise your fitness - here's why
The ‘comfortably hard’ zone just below FTP promises sweet rewards for your aerobic fitness, but how much and how often is best for you? Pro coach Brendan Housler explains
-
Lotto-Soudal sign former Qhuebka-NextHash pair until end of season
Reinardt Janse van Rensburg and Carlos Barbero will join Lotto-Soudal for the remainder of 2022
-
What did we learn from the first elite road races of the year?
Alejandro Valverde is still good; Lotto-Soudal are hungry for results; Biniam Girmay might be a force to be reckoned with
-
Philippe Gilbert to target results in big races - not 'easy wins' - in his final year
The Belgian former world champion says that he won't chase easy wins after 20 years in the pro peloton
-
Lotto-Soudal launch new kit and extend Florian Vermeersch's contract
Red returns with vengeance for Belgian squad
-
Victor Campenaerts re-joins Lotto-Soudal as Qhubeka-NextHash sponsor troubles continue
The current world hour record holder left the Belgian team back in 2019
-
Lotto-Soudal ban alcohol for riders and staff
Lotto-Soudal have banned alcohol for staff and riders during races and training camps.
-
Thomas De Gendt and Tim Wellens set off on 700km gravel adventure
Lotto-Soudal team-mates Thomas De Gendt and Tim Wellens are off on their 700km gravel adventure through Spain.
-
Bjorg Lambrecht crashed after hitting road reflector
Bjorg Lambrecht crashed after hitting a road reflector on stage three of the Tour of Poland, according to a prosecutor in Poland.
