Race against time to recover for Olympics for time trial specialist Ellen van Dijk: "I won't know for sure until about three weeks from now"

Ellen van Dijk was lucky (or good) enough to fit in the narrow Olympic Games selection of Dutch National team alongside stars Demi Vollering and Lorena Wiebes. Her main dish was supposed to come in the time trial, where Van Dijk was seen as serious medal candidate. However broken ankle earlier this month threw a spanner in her preparations.

On the day on which she would normally participate in the National Time Trial Championships, Van Dijk gave the latest status in the AD podcast In het Wiel. "Fortunately the operation went very well. It was a challenge for the surgeon, but I was in very good hands," said Van Dijk.

How does the 37-year-old view her chances of reaching the Games in top shape? "In my mind it is certainly possible. But I can't train fully yet. I won't know for sure until about three weeks from now. Is it really feasible, or is it wishful thinking? In my head everything is now focused on making it feasible."

"That's the way to do it. I saw during my pregnancy how quickly everything came back. This is a very different situation, but I gain a lot of hope and confidence from it. I don't know yet whether my dream is in tatters. I have already decided: this is the biggest challenge in my career."

"My only focus is to recover as quickly as possible and get back to standard as quickly as possible. Of course it's not ideal, but the situation is what it is. I'm just trying to get to Paris in the best possible way."