"Small crash, big consequences" - Lander Loockx will take few weeks off to recover from injuries suffered in Niel Superprestige
Cyclocross
With a splendid road debut in the back, Lander Loockx returned to cyclocross this winter, aiming to ideally breakthrough in field as well. And with couple of high-level top-5 results, it indeed seemed like the TDT-Unibet rider was on his way to have maybe the best cross winter of his career.
Despite a far from ideal start in Niel Superprestige on Monday, Loockx aimed for another quality result in Niel. But a crash has not only taken Loockx out of the race, but also out of competition for a couple weeks, as he needs to recover first.
"Small crash, big consequences..." Loockx opens a story on X. The Belgian had a solid start to the season and aimed even higher for race to come, he reminds: "After my fifth place in Rucphen last Saturday, I was determined to fight again for a good result in Niel today."
The race didn't start out perfectly, but the 27-year-old was gradually passing riders and on his way to finish in the top-10 when disaster struck: "I was moving up during the race and was fighting for a spot in the top 10, but unfortunately I had a small crash in one of the last laps. A small crash, but one with big consequences..."
The Belgian immediately knew things were not good as he provides more detail of his injures: "I badly damaged my finger with a dislocation (I will spare you the details…) and a damaged joint. After the surgery in the hospital, the verdict was that I will be out for several weeks."
Giving up is not an option according to optimistic Loockx who promises to swiftly return as soon as the wounds heal up: "When I will be back in the field is still a question mark for me, but it will be a few weeks anyway. Hope to see you all at the cross again soon!"
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Small crash, big consequences… 🤕
— Tour de Tietema (@tourdetietema) November 11, 2024
After my fifth place in Rucphen last Saturday, I was determined to fight again for a good result in Niel today.
I was moving up during the race and was fighting for a spot in the top 10, but unfortunately I had a small crash in one of the last… pic.twitter.com/wXvu0yAjkt
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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- So gracious to offer something no-one would be prepared to pay for. The Giro is not the Tour and doesn’t command the same interest or attract the same “elite” (those willing to pay to be a part of something they consider has ego boosting potential). Roadside viewing will always largely remain free for everyone outside circuits. Introduction of a symbolic entrance to mountain climbs is worthy of exploration. Asking 1-2€ isn’t going to repulse real fans (most will spend 50-100€ on their outing that day all things included) but will prevent a portion of the total knobhead thrillseekers who will join in any large gathering as long as it’s free, just because they’re attracted to crowds, without which it it difficult for them to work up their anti-social behaviour.Jumpyjohn07-11-2026
- How is radio going to help when someone went over a cliff or bridge or off the roadside into a forest unnoticed and is laying there unconscious?Jumpyjohn07-11-2026
- Yep, next we’ll be accusing F1 drivers of avoiding Le Mans.Jumpyjohn07-11-2026
- But on what is that opinion based? Are you holding him to a different standard than others? Are you saying he should do learn to like something he doesn’t Are you saying he hasn’t achieved enough Are you saying he pretends to be better than his results? It’s actually a really strange opinion to oust if you consider it objectively or rationally. Try applying it to others or yourself by asking if not EVERYONE should then be doing more? Nobody in athletics or swimming gets criticism for not expanding their repertoire when a rival or someone else does. In fact, most who move to another event get accused of running from their rival. Opinions are boring, the reasons behind them are what count.Jumpyjohn07-11-2026
- for a medical chief to throw things like is just bad. There are already radios which were banned for spectacle. allow radios. Gps trackers are not a complete solutionabstractengineer07-11-2026
- Yeah man...PogiSloFans07-11-2026
- any rider less than 25 whether they are really ready for the position of leadership of GT is probably not the case. I think Pogi himself suffered when he was defeated by Jonas in the TDF twice. But that would be the team's job to ensure support so that they can bounce back. It requires a team and time to get back up and win after getting knocked down.abstractengineer07-11-2026
- I'm very glad he got the big late Quickstep Vuelta win and I hope he has a few left for Euskaltel-Euskadi.flyer07-11-2026
- My memories of Ivan Basso aren't good but I liked his sister Elisa ok.flyer07-11-2026
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