Nicolas Debeaumarché eyes return half a year after dramatic moments in Poland: "It was a 50/50 whether I'd survive..."

Since Nicolas Debeaumarché is not a well-known name, his accident at last year's Tour of Pologne slipped from the active memory rather easily, but not much was missing and the Polish WT race could've written another dark story in cycling history. The Cofidis rider considers himself lucky for surviving his severe injuries.

He recalls what happened on Cofidis Youtube: "It was August 14 in Poland. There were a few of us who missed a turn on a descent. I was unlucky enough to hit a concrete wall at the end of the turn, I went over the bike and my back hit the wall. I understood quite quickly that it was serious, that I had broken something quite important in my back."

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"I was hospitalized in Poland, then we quickly made the decision to have surgery in France. I had surgery on the thoracic level of the four vertebrae that I had fractured. We wondered whether I was going to stop cycling or not. 90% chance of being quadriplegic and 50% chance of death, so from the moment I am part of the 10% who have nothing... I said to myself it is a sign."

His team Cofidis had a great deal of understanding and did not put any pressure on the 27-year-old to rush his return. After all a lot of work was needed for Debeaumarché to return to a competitive level after several weeks of just patiently waiting for human body to do its magic.

"The team was fundamental. The convalescence was long with immobilization. I lost a lot of weight and muscle. The reconstruction takes a lot of time and the team really gave me time and reintegrated me in October. The support of the staff and the riders was super important."

Debeaumarché already started training outside hopeful of making comeback already this spring. "I was able to get back on the bike on December 12 outdoors, it was incredible. I love watching bike races, but I love participating in them even more so obviously I miss it a lot and I can't wait to get back there " concludes the rider who should soon make his return to competition. 

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