"A rotten season... I'm glad it's over" - Denise Betsema was finally able to undergo knee surgery after a season of struggle
Cyclocross
Today, a day after the last cross of the season, Denise Betsema underwent surgery on her knee. The 31-year-old Dutch woman had been suffering all season. Betsema has not had her best season after she was hit during training in the summer.
"A rotten season," says Betsema plainly. "I'm glad it's over. On Friday, together with the doctors, I decided to undergo surgery. After the collision it was determined that there were no fractures. However, I have had a lot of problems with my knee throughout the season."
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Betsema is said to suffer from friction syndrome. "I had a lot of trouble in the front of my knee. There is also an inflammation in my knee. It is a major operation, but it is reassuring that it can be remedied with surgery."
"I remain positive. I will definitely come back strong," says Betsema, who achieved her best result in Oudenaarde. She came second on the very tough Koppenberg.
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Ondrej ZhasilCycling Journalist
Ondřej Zhasil is a cycling journalist at CyclingUpToDate and has been part of the team since 2023. He is based in Ostrava, the third-largest city in the Czech Republic, and covers professional cycling across the main UCI competitions, including the Tour de France, the Giro d’Italia, and La Vuelta a España. A key focus of his work is startlist analysis and pre-race coverage, where he examines team selections, rider line-ups, and tactical scenarios ahead of major events.
Alongside WorldTour coverage, Ondřej has developed specific expertise in junior cycling and in racing across East Asia, including competitions in China and Japan. He also maintains a broad working knowledge of other disciplines and levels, including cyclocross, while continuing to expand his understanding of mountain bike racing.
Ondřej holds a bachelor’s degree in Mathematics and Physics, which supports his analytical, data-driven approach to performance and race analysis. In his reporting, he regularly uses ProCyclingStats for results, statistics, and historical context. He places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available.
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- I had no idea about that either.
santiagobenites10-11-2026 - great analysis thanks! appreciate you posting this. I didn't realize CX had a different standard for deviation. this is even more egregious it seems.mij10-11-2026
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- Giro or not Giro, he won't win the Tour!MajorPayne10-11-2026
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- Me too!!!!!Occam10-11-2026
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ℹ️ Denise will undergo a surgery on her knee due to pain since her accident before the season. “An operation is never fun, but I will definitely come back stronger!” We wish Denise the very best of luck during her rehabilitation! #FightToTheFinish Photopress
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