Julian Alaphilippe is "completely cured" of his pneumothorax (abnormal presence of air between the two layers of the pleura) and will be able to resume training at home.
This is essentially what emerges from the medical press release of the Quick Step - Alpha Vinyl training this Thursday, almost three weeks after the serious fall of the world champion during Liège-Bastogne-Liège, after Alaphilippe, 29, has undergone new medical examinations on Thursday.
After being reassuring on social networks in recent days, the Montluçonnais has received the green light to resume training smoothly.
World Champion @alafpolak1 has undergone further examinations at the hospital in Herentals, which have revealed that the pneumothorax he suffered as a result of the crash three weeks ago has completely healed, meaning he is able to resume light training on a set of @tacx rollers .
pic.twitter.com/YrfyPWFoZl
— Quick-Step Alpha Vinyl Team (@qst_alphavinyl) May 12, 2022
“These exams revealed that the pneumothorax he suffered following the accident three weeks ago has completely healed, meaning Julian is now able to resume light training on the home trainer,” states the press release.
However, uncertainty remains from Liège-Bastogne-Liège on the rest of Alaphilippe's season, with the fear that he will have to simply give up the Tour de France (from July 1 to 24), which will start from Copenhagen. (Denmark) early July.
"His condition will continue to be monitored before any other decision and a return to racing program will be stopped", warns the Belgian team.
After the sun finished below the pavement in the oldest classics, Alaphilippe also suffered a fractured shoulder blade and three broken ribs.
Injuries that continue to heal and do not go without creating concern, in particular one of them, as testified by Patrick Lefevere, the manager of the Belgian team, in our columns here are 10 days: “The fracture itself does not pose any problems, because it heals on its own, explained Lefevere.
But one of the ribs, the one that punctured Julian's lung and created the pneumothorax, really moved a lot and has the biggest fracture.
And it is she who worries us a little.
Frankly, for the Tour de France, it will be very limited… ”
Hello everyone, after a few days, I'm happy to give you some news.
My recovery is going well and the pain is less severe.
I breathe much better and everything is going in the right direction.
📸 @BeelWout pic.twitter.com/CdZPTUjVw7
— Julian Alaphilippe Official (@alafpolak1) May 7, 2022
“My recovery is going well and the pain is less severe, commented the world champion on his Instagram account on Saturday.
I breathe much better and everything is going in the right direction.
I hope that soon this big fall will be more than a bad memory.
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As for the future, he will say if the seven weeks between now and the start of the Tour will be sufficient for the recovery and rehabilitation of the world champion.