Petr Vakoč returns to racing at Vuelta a San Juan a year after being hit by truck
The Czech rider said he was lucky to be a live after the crash

Petr Vaokocč will return to racing later this month
(Photo: Yuzuru SUNADA)
Deceuninck – Quick-Step’s Petr Vakoč will make an emotional return to the peloton at the Vuelta a San Juan, a year after he suffered serious injuries when hit by a truck.
The Czech pro suffered several broken vertebrae and required surgery after he and team-mates were hit by a lorry while training in early 2018.
Vakoč missed the entire season and said he was lucky to be alive after the crash.
The 26-year-old will return to racing in Argentina on January 27, a year after the crash.
>>> Full route revealed for inaugural Mont Ventoux one-day race
Vakoč was training in South Africa last January when he, Laurens De Plus and Bob Jungels were hit by a truck.
Jungels was unharmed, while De Plus fractured his pelvis and lower back, and Vakoč required surgery for several broken vertebrae.
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
It was three months before Vakoč had healed enough to pedal on a static bike, and in June he was able to train out on the roads with team-mates.
Vakoč had hoped to return to racing in February, but will take to the start line earlier after making better progress than expected.
His last race day was Binche-Chimay-Binche back in October 2017.
In November, Vakoč said: “I was hit by a truck and I am lucky to be alive.
“After three surgeries, months of rehabilitation and gradually increasing the training load it seems I might be able to come back.
“Not just back to normal life, but back to racing.”
>>> Five things we learned from the 2019 Tour Down Under
He added: “A distracted driver or bad luck can send you to the ground and your life might be over.
“I am grateful to be alive.
“Surely it is not possible to prevent all accidents, but I am convinced that their risk can be reduced.
“People in cars often do not realise how dangerous it is to pass cyclists only by centimetres.”
Thank you for reading 20 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
Alex Ballinger is editor of BikeBiz magazine, the leading publication for the UK cycle industry, and is the former digital news editor for CyclingWeekly.com. After gaining experience in local newsrooms, national newspapers and in digital journalism, Alex found his calling in cycling, first as a reporter, then as news editor responsible for Cycling Weekly's online news output, and now as the editor of BikeBiz. Since pro cycling first captured his heart during the 2010 Tour de France (specifically the Contador-Schleck battle) Alex covered three Tours de France, multiple editions of the Tour of Britain, and the World Championships, while both writing and video presenting for Cycling Weekly. He also specialises in fitness writing, often throwing himself into the deep end to help readers improve their own power numbers. Away from the desk, Alex can be found racing time trials, riding BMX and mountain bikes, or exploring off-road on his gravel bike. He’s also an avid gamer, and can usually be found buried in an eclectic selection of books.