The Albany Gazette - Returning Evenepoel expects to be 'in very good shape' for Tour de France

The 24-year-old Belgian told journalists he had been reassured after undergoing tests on Thursday.

"I had my scan this morning and the results were pretty good," Evenepoel told a video press conference.

"I had my first physio session straight away after the scan so it means my rehab can finally start from today which is good news."

The leader of the Soudal Quick-Step team, who had to skip his team's training camp in Calpe in Spain, has been out of action since December 3.

Evenepoel broke a hand, ribs and shoulder blade after striking the open door of a stationary postal van in Brussels while preparing for the new season.

He also suffered contusions to his lungs, a dislocated collarbone and torn ligaments.

Evenepoel is no stranger to dramatic crashes, the most serious during the 2020 Tour of Lombardy when he plunged 10 metres into a ravine.

Last April, he was caught in a heavy mass fall at the Tour of the Basque Country, breaking his collarbone and right shoulder blade.

Evenepoel said it had been "very difficult to accept" December's setback especially since it was the second time in the year he had fallen on the same side.

He plans to return for the Ardennes classics in mid-April as he builds towards the Tour de France from July 5-27 in which he finished third last year.

"We came pretty close last year so that was a pretty good taste. Now we know what to do and what to work on.

"My spring classics campaign won't be packed at all because I want to be at 200 percent in the Tour de France.

"If everything goes well between now and the Tour I have almost no doubts that I will be in very good shape.

"I'm definitely ready mentally now. But it's clear I won't push myself to go all in straight away because the shoulder won't recover properly."

(A.Thompson--TAG)