The training accident of Remco Evenepoel (24) shocked the cycling world on Tuesday. Patrick Lefevere (69), CEO of Soudal Quick-Step, tries to remain calm. “Obviously this is not fun, but fortunately it is December and not April.”
Evenepoel collided with the opening door of a Bpost van in Oetingen on Tuesday morning. He broke a rib, suffered fractures to his right shoulder blade and right hand, and suffered a luxation of the collarbone.
“I’m almost 70 years old, I don’t scare that easily anymore,” Patrick Lefevere responds to his partner’s new setback. “But the fact is that nowadays the public is informed faster than we are. The Sports Chief of your newspaper, who I happened to speak to on the phone, knew about it before I did. David Geeroms (Remco’s permanent caregiver, ed.) was at our warehouse and confirmed the news. A neighbor first put him on a chair, then he was taken by ambulance to the Erasmus hospital in Anderlecht, where the doctors diagnosed several fractures.”
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The damage is quite extensive. “Of course that is not good news. But I’m still waiting for an update from our doctors. I haven’t been to Remco myself yet. I sent a message to Patrick and Agna, his parents. And to Oumi. Obviously this is not fun, but fortunately it is December and not April.”
Internship messed up
What does this mean for the build-up to the new season? “Remco had quietly resumed training, with visits to the Qatar Formula 1 race and an Anderlecht match in between. Of course, he trained far from à bloc. There was no need for that. We didn’t know exactly where he would start his season, but that will certainly not be Australia.”
Next Monday, Soudal Quick-Step will go on a ten-day team training camp for the first time. “That is the first practical obstacle. Can he fly, does he want to fly, is it appropriate for him to fly? The internship involves training but also many practical matters such as photo shoots. It goes without saying that his fall will mess up a lot.”
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