"Without you, I would probably have stopped my career" - Remco Evenepoel shares emotional message days before return to pro cycling

On the 14th April, Monday, we enter the week where Remco Evenepoel will return to pro cycling. His last race was on the 12th October, over half a year ago when he was second to Tadej Pogacar at Il Lombardia. This upcoming Friday he returns to competition at the Brabantse Pijl and he has shared a thank you message to the people that have helped him recover from another brutal set of injuries.

"Finally my comeback week has arrived. After days, weeks, months of waiting and waiting, I can finally look towards my first races," Evenepoel said in a message shared on Instagram. "The way to where I am now has been very hard and challenging. Definitely the hardest battle of my life so far. Mentally and physically, I can honestly say that I have been under the ground and really doubted a lot of my future".

The Olympic Champion is one of the single best riders on the planet, with much to still potentially achieve in the sport, but he admitted how hard it was to have to undergo another very lengthy recovery. "Loads of tears and frustration were present in our life. But, for this reason I want to show you all who really has been there for me".

He has shared a long message regarding his wife Oumi, whom he once again praised for the support throughout his injuries - which included fractures in his ribs, right shoulder blade and hand; as well as a dislocated collarbone and bruises in his lungs - when he hit the opening door of a postal van in Belgium during a training ride.

"I just want to tell, that without you, I would probably have stopped my career," he admits. "That is from where you helped me crawling back up. I can only say that I love you so much and thank you for who you are. You are the most beautiful person (inside and outside) in the whole universe. And I am so incredibly proud to be you husband and to be able to fight for us and our future".

Evenepoel will be racing close to home in the Ardennes before also moving on to the Tour de Romandie. "I definitely have to thank my parents as well for always being there for me. And helping me with whatever it can be! Since I was a very young kid you guys have been doing everything for me, and I will for sure never forget that!"

"A big thank you to my family members from both sides and close friends (which is not a big number) for reaching out, and trying to make me a bit happier whenever I could use it. Everything you did for me, I will never forget and definitely give it in return! All the medical staff who worked (and are still working) with me during my rehab: THANK YOU. We came from far back, but we made it.. again."