Published on : 04/01/2022
The two French riders, who suffered fractures of the collarbone at the beginning of the season, will make their return to racing in the next few days. This will strengthen the ranks of Cofidis and contribute to the good dynamics of the last weeks.
They both crashed at the beginning of the season and have been fighting to make their rehabilitation as quick and efficient as possible. Alexis Renard (22), who joined Cofidis in the off-season, crashed during the Tour des Alpes Maritimes et du Var at the end of February. He suffered a fractured collarbone and an elbow injury, but was able to resume training on a home-trainer at the beginning of March before returning to road racing. Alexis will make his return to competition during the Circuit de la Sarthe - Pays de la Loire, on Tuesday April 5th. This will be the start of a season that he had started well by finishing 7th of the 4th stage of the Saudi Tour and 8th of the 1st stage of the Tour des Alpes Maritimes et du Var.
Renard, Rochas, same will to give everything
Rémy Rochas also wants to give it his all. Particularly precious during the Étoile de Bessèges to support Benjamin Thomas, winner of the general classification, 16th in the Faun-Ardèche Classic, he has been victim of a crash during the Drôme Classic. Suffering from a broken collarbone, Rémy also had to miss several weeks of racing. But his perseverance and willpower have paid off: he will be back on the track during the Paris-Camembert race, on Tuesday April 12th. The 25 year-old rider from Savoie hopes to be back in the form that allowed him to finish 15th overall and 4th in the best young rider classification at the last Vuelta.
Finally, Max Walscheid, victim of an accident while training near his home in Franken, Germany, on Thursday 24th February, stayed three days in hospital for observation. Although he did not suffer any fractures, his convalescence will take a few more weeks before he can start a race with peace of mind.
THEY SAID
Alexis Renard: "I was lucky to be quickly taken care of by specialists and to be well supported by my physio and the team's medical staff. We will see exactly what my objectives will be for the rest of the season but I know that the first of them is to perform as soon as possible. I can't wait to get back into the competition. I'm just waiting for that !"
Rémy Rochas: "My recovery went very well. I went back to the home-trainer after a few days and then quickly on the road. I was then able to continue to train specifically and do muscle strengthening on a daily basis. I'm hungry for racing, for competition. I was lucky enough to have a good season last year and I think I have reached a new level. I'm keen to get results to prove it when I return to competition."