"He was in intensive care for 12 days and was ready to finish second at the Tour" - Tiesj Benoot uses Jonas Vingegaard as comeback inspiration

For more than a decade, Tiesj Benoot measured his seasons in cobbles, punchy climbs and white gravel roads. This year, for the first time in his professional career, the Spring will unfold without him.

Benoot, who was one of Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale Team’s major signings for 2026 after four years with Team Visma - Lease a Bike, was seen as one of the French squad’s key hopes for the Classics campaign that begins this weekend.

The defining moment of his career remains his victory at Strade Bianche in 2018, when he conquered brutal conditions to claim a triumph that shaped his trajectory on the roads of Tuscany. Since then, he has been a constant presence in the biggest one-day races, repeatedly making it into the decisive phases of the Tour of Flanders and the Amstel Gold Race.

The Belgian rider will be sidelined for a long period, estimated at 16 weeks, after undergoing surgery for an inguinal hernia. “I was in a lot of pain, so I’m happy they removed it,” Benoot told Sporza. “It’s good that a cause has been found for my issues. Now a long rehabilitation awaits me.”

Benoot hopes to receive the green light later this month as he works toward one of the objectives he set with the team for his season, the Tour de France. “Originally it was in my program and I would love to be there as well. But it’s still too early to say that it will be a target.”

For now, he is limited to 300 metres of walking per hour. “If I get the green light on Tuesday, I can start rehabilitation with the physiotherapist. Normally, I should be able to train properly again in a few weeks.”

Wout van Aert, his former teammate and close friend, sent him a gift to lift his spirits as he goes through this difficult period away from the bike. “I’ve already eaten quite a bit of chocolate,” Benoot laughs. “That’s a little less ideal for me as a rider. I’m going to spend the longest period of my career without a bike.”

Yet there is both disappointment and hope in the words of the 31-year-old rider. “I’ve already swallowed the disappointment of having to miss the Spring. But I’m motivated to come back at least at the same level.”

Classics are out, but the Tour de France remains possible. He believes everything is still within reach and points to Jonas Vingegaard as an example, after the Dane crashed at Itzulia Basque Country, recovered and made it to the start of the Grand Boucle. “He was in intensive care for 12 days and was ready to finish second at the Tour about eight weeks later. I don’t compare myself to that, but I hope to be there.”

“If I can ride for two or three weeks without problems, we’ll be able to better estimate where I stand. I’ve ridden the Tour nine times, so I know it’s no gift if you’re only at 80 per cent.”

For now, Tiesj Benoot knows he will have to watch his favourite races from the sofa at home, the events where he feels most at ease. “Although that might be even harder in the Spring, because those are the races I train for all winter and where my heart truly lies.”