ProTeam Finally back to racing: Lennert Van Eetvelt at the start of Sibiu Cycling Tour

Van Eetvelt has been out for months with a persistent knee injury. He started the Belgian Championship two weeks ago, but before that, the last race he participated in was Strade Bianche. “An eternity, that is. For two months, I could do almost nothing, and for three months, I struggled. After each treatment, we hoped it would be resolved the following week. But even after the surgery, there were still questions. The uncertainty was the worst. At one point, I even began to fear it might never be resolved. And just when I finally started training again, I was hit by a car.”

In recent weeks, there has finally been light at the end of the tunnel. Van Eetvelt competed again for the first time in the Belgian Championship time trial. A few days later, he finished seventh in the road race. “I’m happy that I’m gradually feeling like a cyclist again, mostly. I underestimated how far I had to come back. The training level wasn’t immediately what I hoped for. The engine is still there, but I’m curious to see what happens when the intensity is increased this week. It will also be the first time I’m climbing in a race again.”

Van Eetvelt is mainly happy to be able to look forward again in Sibiu. “It feels good to be out with the team again. The Sibiu Cycling Tour is a nice race. Stages one and three finish on a mountain top, and I’m looking forward to that. Winning would be great, but just being at the start here is already a victory in itself. It has taken long enough.”

Picture: Sibiu Cycling Tour