Wout van Aert takes a cautious approach to Cyclocross return with continued Recovery from knee Injury

General
Wout van Aert takes a cautious approach to Cyclocross return with continued Recovery from knee Injury
Wout van Aert is due to start the cyclocross race at the end of the month, but doctors on the Belgian cycling team have advised to take a cautious approach while the former world champion continues to recover from a knee injury in the crash at the Vuelta a España on May 9.

In an interview with Hln, Belgian cycling team doctor Kris Van der Mieren stressed that "speeding up or forcing recovery is completely out of the question."

Van Aalto was forced to abandon the Vuelta a España after crashing in Lagos de Covadonga in the descent of Colada Llomena in Stage 16 At that time, Visma・Lease A Bike confirmed that he suffered severe knee pain caused by deep wounds. It was a great experience.

He will return to training on the street on 10/4 and participate in the Visma-Lease A Bike training camp in Spain. However, he is not expected to return to the race by the end of the month after training camp, which ends on 12/19, 12. 

He may make his season debut in the World Cup round at Hulst or Sonnhofen on 12/21 or 22, but van der Mieren believes that, given that cyclocross in particular requires both cycling and a lot of running, van der Mieren is not the only one who has a lot to offer. ・ Aalto said it is important not to start the race too early.

Van der Mieren confirmed that Van Aert is on the right track and his recovery is progressing, but still needs to build strength while running.

"In the meantime, running has been well proven to be an added value for cyclists. It is the best power stimulation you can give your muscles. And indeed, in the cyclocross we will talk about the "plus-plus story". The impact they absorb makes the tendon fibers stronger," van der Millen said.

Even when Van Aalto is ready to start the Cyclocross season, van der Mieren advises him to be vigilant and take small steps to regain his top form.

"These fibers need to adapt and gradually become stronger again. Depending on the nature of the injury, it can take up to three, four months or even years. Speeding up or forcing recovery is completely out of the question," says Van der Mieren.

"The great danger is because they are not strong enough and are 'overwhelmed', so you destroy those created fibers again in no time. In the sense that you risk getting new injuries.”

Categories