Two-time Olympic champion Remco Evanpaul said on Monday he thought he would never race again after a horrific injury last December, confirming his return to competition at the Brabantse Biel in Flanders this week. The 25-year-old Belgian suffered various injuries in the accident, including broken ribs, shoulder, and hand, bruised lungs, and a dislocated right collarbone that tore surrounding ligaments.

Belgian media reported that the driver crashed into the open door of a postal car while on a training run in Oettingen. Evanpaul wrote on Instagram: “After months of waiting, I can finally look forward to my first races. The road to where I am now has been difficult and challenging. It has certainly been the hardest battle of my life so far. Mentally and physically, I can honestly say I was underground. I had so many doubts about my future.”