# Resilient Comebacks: Taco van der Hoorn and Lars Craps Return to Racing After Knee Injuries
In the challenging world of professional cycling, injuries can often sideline even the most accomplished athletes. This season, Taco van der Hoorn and Lars Craps each faced the daunting task of overcoming knee injuries but have now made inspiring comebacks.
Initially set to compete in the *Giro d’Italia*, Taco van der Hoorn found himself off the bike due to prepatellar friction syndrome, a common but debilitating knee ailment for cyclists. After a lengthy recovery process, he is ready to race again, starting with Rund um Köln. “I’m looking forward to being back in the racing bubble. Staying at the hotel with the other riders and staff, laughing together at the dinner table, travelling together on the team bus… I missed that,” he expressed, reflecting on the joy of returning to the sport he loves. “I feel some of that excitement again, like an 18-year-old riding his first races. It does something to me. That’s a good sign, that I still feel that even in my tenth season as a pro.”
Van der Hoorn’s injury journey began before the season commenced, leading to a difficult period filled with uncertainty. “That was a difficult period because, at first, we didn’t really know what was going on. That uncertainty eats away at you,” he shared. After undergoing surgery in February, he began the slow road to recovery. “A few years ago, when I was sidelined for a long time with a concussion, it was much more uncertain when exactly I would be able to return,” he noted.
His recovery was methodical; involving physiotherapy and short, 15-minute rides. “Only in the last four or five weeks was I really able to train properly,” he recalled, admitting that the frustration of missing major races was challenging. Yet, he remains optimistic, stating, “I’ve come back from far behind before… I’m looking forward to racing again, being valuable for the team and helping the guys.”
Lars Craps faced a similar struggle with the same knee issue but has already successfully returned to competition, racing in the Circuit de Wallonie last week. Having dealt with a similar injury the previous season, he was prepared for the challenge when the pain resurfaced. “It’s frustrating, of course, the moment you feel that same pain again… that experience also allowed me to react much faster than last year,” he explained.
Craps was sidelined for four weeks but utilized this time to focus on completing his studies. “Over the past few months, I finished and submitted my thesis,” he said, acknowledging that this shift in focus was a productive use of his recovery time. He was eager to return to racing, feeling motivated by his team’s support. “The team immediately came up with a plan. When I got back on the bike, I instantly felt motivated again,” he said, eager to rekindle old routines as he prepared for upcoming races like the *Boucles de la Mayenne* and the *Critérium du Dauphiné*.
The journey of both Taco van der Hoorn and Lars Craps exemplifies the resilience and determination athletes embody in recovering from injuries, showcasing their passion for cycling and readiness to face new challenges ahead.
