Six weeks after fracturing her ankle, Ellen van Dijk has received the race towards time to recuperate and can race within the 2024 Paris Olympics time trial and highway race for the Netherlands.
Van Dijk sustained the harm throughout a coaching camp in Spain at first of June, earlier than present process surgical procedure and finishing coaching tailored for the solid on her proper leg to rebuild her race health.
The Dutch Biking Federation (KNWU) introduced Van Dijk’s participation on Wednesday, 10 days earlier than the person time trial, after “varied efficiency assessments confirmed that she is able to signify the Netherlands with ambition”.
“By no means Give Up! That is my mantra for over 6 weeks now. Each step I saved repeating it to myself. Do not hand over, it’s nonetheless attainable. I took it day-to-day, though it wasn’t simple,” stated Van Dijk on Instagram after confirming her participation.
“In a earlier replace, I stated this might be the largest problem of my profession. I am now certain it’s.
“Final week I did some severe TT intervals to check my form. I used to be stunned by the consequence, however there’s nonetheless some work to do. I’m very comfortable although to announce that I made it to Paris! We’ll see what is going to occur from right here.”
Van Dijk will tackle the ITT the place, as a three-time World Champion within the self-discipline, she might be one of many favourites alongside present rainbow jersey holder Chloe Dygert (USA). Sadly, fellow time trial specialist Marlen Reusser (Switzerland) introduced earlier this week that she received’t take the beginning because of a lingering sickness.
She’ll additionally make up a part of a star-studded highway race lineup alongside Demi Vollering, Lorena Wiebes and Marianne Vos, with Wiebes – the highest sprinter on this planet – set to be chief.
“I’m actually trying ahead to becoming a member of the workforce and displaying one thing stunning collectively in Paris,” stated Van Dijk in a KNWU press launch, who additionally detailed simply what it took to get to health on her social media.
“After surgical procedure, I needed to peddle with a solid first. We needed to discover a approach to get on the bike. Benjamin made every kind of pedals so I might prepare with the solid,” Van Dijk stated.
“After the solid was eliminated, I began to ‘prepare’ a bit bit on the indoor coach. From 20-Half-hour with the solid to 2*75 minutes with out the solid. I celebrated each step of the development and I assume I used to be fortunate that each time I attempted one thing new, one thing additional, the ankle was pleased with it.
“I couldn’t have performed it with out the assistance of [partner and son] Benjamin, Faas (though he has no clue), KNWU, Lidl-Trek and the unimaginable medical doctors of UMC Amsterdam.”
