Fantastic news for Intermarché-Wanty rider Taco van der Hoorn: he is racing again. Van der Hoorn, who crashed heavily during the Tour of Flanders in 2023 and suffered a severe concussion, has been making a comeback.
The 30-year-old Dutchman went through extended rehabilitation, making gradual progress despite setbacks from his injury. He remained under the watch of Intermarché-Wanty’s medical staff and international experts. Although he resumed training, they didn’t deem him fit to race until now.
Joined training camp in January
In January, Giro d’Italia 2021 stage winner Taco van der Hoorn rejoined his Intermarché-Wanty teammates for the first time since his crash during a Spanish training camp. Although at that time he had not fully regained his strength and struggled with intense group rides, he was able to train solo, join select sessions with staff, and attend the team’s official presentation.
“I was very happy to join the team for the first time since my crash, to be united with staff and riders all together in their preparation for the 2024 season, which unfortunately started without me because of the consequences of my concussion. The past couple of months I alternated between hope and doubt, with periods of rapid progress as well as weeks during which I suffered and was forced to rest,” he said at the time.
Finally cleared to race
Since then, he has ramped up his training and has been cleared to race.
On Monday, he posted on X. In a video, he said, “Good day, everyone! I have great news! I’m back and I’ll see you all at the race. Ciao!”
TACO IS BACK 😍😍😍🌮
After 16 months of recovery from concussion, Taco van der Hoorn is ready to race again in Tour of Leuven on 15 August.
Show him some love ❤️ pic.twitter.com/wJioVF48E6
— Intermarché-Wanty (@IntermarcheW) August 13, 2024
He will join his team at the Tour de Leuven – Memorial Jef Scherens on Thursday. The 57th edition of the one-day race is 192.4 km. It’s dedicated to Jef Scherens, a Belgian pro cyclist known for his sprinting prowess and success in one-day races during the 1950s and early 1960s. He won the Tour of Flanders in 1956 and also triumphed in Paris-Roubaix and the Belgian National Road Championships. In 2023, Lotto-Dstny’s Arnaud De Lie took the win.
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