Cyclist Evenepoel Hospitalized After Training Crash, Sustaining Multiple Fractures

Remco Evenepoel, a double Olympic champion who secured victory at the 2022 Vuelta a Espana and a third-place finish at the 2024 Tour de France, was transported to a medical facility following a bicycle accident during a training session, suffering fractures to his rib, shoulder blade, and hand. His team, Soudal-Quick Step, reported that the Belgian athlete also sustained contusions on both lungs and a dislocated collarbone, with surgery for the latter scheduled for later on Tuesday. Belgian media outlets indicated that the 24-year-old collided with an open door of a postal vehicle while cycling in Oetingen, Belgium. Evenepoel, who earned gold medals in both the men’s road race and time trial at the recent Paris Olympics, remained conscious after the incident. Nevertheless, the frame of the golden bicycle belonging to the 2022 Vuelta a Espana victor suffered a clean break. Patrick Lefevere, manager for Soudal-Quick Step, informed Belgium’s state-funded sports website Sporza on Tuesday, stating: “His bike broke in two in that incident, but it’s better to split his bike in two than his arm.” In an update provided to the Belgian newspaper Het Nieuwsblad, Patrick Evenepoel, the cyclist’s father, commented: “He has already sent us a message, so we hope everything is OK.” Soudal-Quick Step issued a statement: “Following an incident while training today, Remco Evenepoel was taken to hospital where it was revealed that he has sustained fractures to his rib, right shoulder blade and his right hand.” The team subsequently announced that, assuming a successful collarbone operation, Evenepoel is expected to be discharged from the hospital on Wednesday. He will then require a “two-week period of immobilisation,” after which a “plan for his return to training can be made.” In 2020, Evenepoel experienced a severe crash off a bridge at Il Lombardia, resulting in a fractured pelvis. He later returned to achieve his first Grand Tour win at the 2022 Vuelta a Espana, and this year, the three-time world champion secured third place in his debut Tour de France.