‘My season is over but I’ll come back stronger than before’: Remco Evenepoel shares update for fans from his hospital bed in Belgium
The 20-year-old star suffered a shocking crash while racing in his first Monument, Il Lombardia
Remco Evenepoel has shared an update on his condition from his hospital bed in Belgium after his Il Lombardia crash.
The Deceuninck - Quick-Step rider says his 2020 season is over after he suffered multiple injuries in a shocking fall in Italy last weekend, which saw him hit a low wall on a bridge and fall into the ravine below.
Evenepoel, who has now been transferred from Italy to a hospital closer to home in Belgium, now expects to miss the rest of the season but says he will come back even stronger in 2021.
The 20-year-old said: “First of all, I want to thank all the people who supported me and helped me in the last couple of hours starting from the moment of the crash until now actually.
“Unfortunately, my season is over so far. We have no rush. And we have all the time to plan a good comeback physically.
“We will do everything to become a better rider and to become stronger than ever before.”
Evenepoel was the favourite to take the win in Il Lombardia, despite the race being his first time lining up in a Monument.
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
After making it into an elite group at the front of the race, Evenepoel suffered a huge crash inside the final 50km when he hit a bridge wall and fell down the drop below.
Evenepoel suffered multiple injuries, including a pelvis fracture and a contusion to his right lung.
He added: “I want to thank you all because you supported me so much. I could not answer all the messages because there were so many, but just I see everything and I feel everything. So just know that your support really touches me and will help me in a positive way.”
The crash has derailed an outstanding season for Evenepoel, who has won all four stage races he has entered so far this year.
>>> Bob Jungels is leaving Deceuninck – Quick-Step to join AG2R
He was due to make his Grand Tour debut at the Giro d’Italia in October and had been tipped as the favourite by despite his inexperience in three-week racing, but instead Evenepoel will have to look to 2020 to ride the biggest races.
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.
-
I can’t even remember the price of my latest bike — the trauma is too deep
Dream bikes are best left locked up in fantasy land, argues CW's columnist
By Michael Hutchinson Published
-
Buying a saddle online without a fit is a risky move — here's how to find the best perch for you
Getting your saddle right makes all the difference, we spoke to an expert to help guide you in the process
By Rob Kemp Published
-
Mark Cavendish wants to continue for 'at least' two more years
Quick-Step Alpha Vinyl sprinter turns 37 this weekend
By Adam Becket Published
-
Fabio Jakobsen on aiming for the Tour de France, lawsuit against Groenewegen and supporting Cavendish
The Quick-Step Alpha Vinyl rider showed he is back to being one of the fastest sprinters around at the Vuelta a España
By Tim Bonville-Ginn Last updated
-
'I don’t want to end my time with the regret of not ever trying': Julian Alaphilippe wants to try and win Tour de France before retiring
The double world champion will focus on the Classics in 2022 but still has an eye on the French Grand Tour
By Tim Bonville-Ginn Published
-
Julian Alaphilippe and Remco Evenepoel share their thoughts ahead of Il Lombardia 2021
The two Deceuninck - Quick-Step riders come into the final Monument of the year as two of the main favourites
By Tim Bonville-Ginn Published
-
Julian Alaphilippe says losing the rainbow jersey would have been 'a certain form of relief'
The French star stormed to an amazing second world title in a row on the roads of Leuven
By Tim Bonville-Ginn Published
-
Sam Bennett makes return to Deceuninck - Quick-Step squad in Belgian one-day race
The Irish sprinter has fallen out with management, recently racing the European Championships without consulting with the team
By Alex Ballinger Published
-