Tiesj Benoot back to training months after being hit by car: "After six weeks in a brace, it still felt and still feels very stiff"

Tiesj Benoot has been an incredible signing for Jumbo-Visma in 2022, having transformed from a leading into a supportive role and showing his best legs throughout the spring. The Belgian was set for a great season, but one cut short due to a nasty accident following the Tour de France.

“I am almost completely the old one. Only a stiff neck still plays tricks on me. Because the fracture was on the left, the muscles around it had to absorb everything," the Belgian admitted in an interview with Het Nieuwsblad. Benoot was hit by a car near Livigno whilst training with Wout van Aert following the Tour de France.

He suffered a neck fracture and has had to wear a neck brace for several weeks, not only ending his season but having meaningful impact over his life. “After six weeks in a brace, it still felt and still feels very stiff. These muscles need to be loosened even further because I cannot yet look optimally to the left or right.”

The 28-year old still has time to prepare for the 2023 season, however he has only recently been allowed to return to training on the road. nevertheless it is a step for Jumbo-Visma who add Dylan van Baarle to their lineup for the cobbles in the coming year. Benoot rode to the podium of Dwars door Vlaanderen, Amstel Gold Race and the Clasica San Sebastian this year, besides playing a key domestique role for Wout van Aert in the classics, and at the Tour de France alongside van Aert and Jonas Vingegaard.

“Two weeks ago, I was the last of my close surroundings to be at home with corona. And with symptoms. I still had a fever of more than 39 degrees one day and was in bed for two days," he described, having been affected this winter. Now, he's finally able to begin preparing for the spring, albeit possibly late to achieve as good form as last year seeing how much time he's spent off the bike.

"I didn't even have the energy to put on the TV to watch the World Cup. But well, the cardiologist has now approved me. If I stay healthy from now on, nothing has happened," he concluded.