Lotto Soudal rider Kobe Goossens is set to make his comeback at the Flèche Brabançonne after crashing out of Paris-Nice. Goossens suffered a concussion, broken nose, and broken teeth when he collided with a team car during stage four. After taking time off to recover and undergo altitude training, the 24-year-old Belgian is ready to race again.
In an interview, Goossens said, “Unfortunately, the season didn’t start as I had planned. Going into Paris-Nice, I was in good shape, until that crash at the end of stage four spoiled the party. The impact was quite big and I really had to push the reset button.” He also mentioned how his training plans had to change, saying “I will race the Ardennes Classics instead of the Volta a la Comunitat Valenciana, where I was initially supposed to resume competition.“
For Goossens, the Flèche Brabançonne holds extra significance as it is a race on home soil. He expressed his excitement, saying “To be racing on your training course is always something special. Sometimes, the home advantage allows you to know exactly when it’s time to move up to the front. It definitely is a nice bonus, but I’ll still have to pedal just as hard.“
The Flèche Brabançonne is known for its challenging course, with over 25 hills to conquer. This year, the final climb was replaced with a wider home stretch. Despite the changes, Goossens acknowledged that it would still be a tough day in the saddle. He also mentioned a resurfaced hill on the course, saying “I always avoid that hill during my training rides… Of course, the changes will make it a little less authentic, but I’m definitely not complaining.“
Kobe Goossens is eager to regain his race rhythm and contribute to his team’s success at the Flèche Brabançonne. With his recovery and training complete, he is determined to make a strong comeback.
