Petr Vakoč grinds out ride while recovering from broken vertebrae
With his trainer suspended from the ceiling, the 25-year-old Czech pedalled for the first time since being hit by a truck in South Africa
At the end of January, Petr Vakoč and Lauren de Plus were struck by a truck while training at altitude in South Africa. The collision left Vakoč in the hospital for a number of weeks only returning to his home in Prague this week.
Along with a medical update, Quick-Step Floors shared a video of Vakoč riding a bike hung from the ceiling of his apartment. It was the first time the 25-year-old Czech has been able to pedal since getting out of the hospital.
We have some very good news coming from Prague! @PetrVakoc is out of the hospital and at home, where he is following his post-injury rehabilitation program:https://t.co/Hyx7pOXghr
Join us in wishing Petr a fast and full recovery! pic.twitter.com/xpyqE7mArO— Deceuninck-QuickStep (@deceuninck_qst) March 21, 2018
Back in the comfortable confines of his own home, Quick-Step Floors provided an update on his condition saying he is doing a rehabilitation program. The team added that the medical team are uncertain when a comeback to competition can be made but said they are hoping that with continued progress as they have seen that it will be possible by the end of the season.
“It will take some months before I return to competition, but I am really motivated and it is a great comfort knowing I am in good hands with the team and my family,” Vakoč said in a team statement. “I have just pedalled for the first time at my home, after hanging a bike from my ceiling and mounting it to a Tacx trainer. I am still not allowed to pedal seated but I am so happy I can start moving the legs and work to get back to the pack!”
