Double Olympic road cycling champion Remco Evenepoel says he will not return to competition until mid-April after suffering multiple fractures in a crash with a postal van this month.

Remco's Delays Racing Plans

The 24-year-old Belgian had hoped to resume racing at the start of March but announced on Saturday that he was not going to rush back after his latest mishap.

"The initial plan was to return in the Ardeche and the Drome Classic (March 1-2). But all that has fallen through," Evenepoel told Belgian newspaper La Derniere Heure. "If I can restart training around February 4-5, I'll only have three weeks in the legs before these two races."

Evenepoel Shifts Focus To Ardennes Return

Evenepoel stated his primary goal is now the Ardennes classics in April. "Today, I've only got one thing on my mind: to be at the start of the Fleche Brabanconne and then follow it up with the three other Ardennes classics, with the ambition of winning."

The Fleche Brabanconne is scheduled for April 18, followed by the classics trio of the Amstel Gold Race, La Fleche Wallonne, and Liege-Bastogne-Liege on April 20, 23, and 27, respectively.

Uncertainty Around Giro And Milan-San Remo

Evenepoel admitted the Giro d’Italia (May 9-June 1) might be too soon for a three-week race, saying, "For the Giro, it will probably be too soon, even if you never know." His delayed comeback also rules out participation in Milan-San Remo, the longest one-day race and the first Monument of the season, on March 22.

Ongoing Recovery From Injuries

Evenepoel suffered multiple injuries, including a broken hand, ribs, and shoulder blade, after colliding with the open door of a stationary van in Brussels on December 3. He also sustained contusions to his lungs, a dislocated collarbone, and torn ligaments.

The Belgian rider is no stranger to dramatic crashes. In 2020, he plunged 10 meters into a ravine during the Tour of Lombardy, suffering a pelvic fracture and lung injuries. Last April, he endured a collective fall at the Tour of the Basque Country, fracturing his collarbone and right shoulder blade.

Awaiting January Scan For Progress

Evenepoel is awaiting the results of a scan on January 9 to determine if he can begin training on a stationary bike. "It's getting better, but slowly. I feel a bit of progress every day. In terms of exercise, I can't do anything, apart from a little manoeuvring of my shoulder so that it's not too stiff," he said.