Evenepoel Returned to Il Lombardia After 2020 Crash
The cyclist faces the course again years after surviving a traumatic fall during the race.
Updated on Oct. 7, 2026 in Cycling
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At age 26, Remco Evenepoel has returned to compete in the Il Lombardia race, marking a significant milestone after a near-fatal accident at the same event in 2020. Evenepoel, who recently won the 2026 European road race title, was previously forced to withdraw from the competition due to severe injuries.
Why it matters
The athlete's return to the course highlights the grueling recovery process following major trauma, including a fractured pelvis and lung contusion. His participation serves as a high-profile return to the site of his near-fatal descent in Lake Como.
Evenepoel suffered a fractured pelvis and right lung contusion during a nine-metre fall at the 114th edition of Il Lombardia. This injury occurred on the Muro di Sormano climb, yet he has since secured two Olympic gold medals and the 2026 European road race title.
The players
Remco Evenepoel
A 26-year-old professional cyclist from Aalst, Belgium, known for his recovery from significant trauma and his success in winning two Olympic gold medals.
The details
During the 2020 race, Evenepoel careered over the edge of a stone-walled bridge while descending the Muro di Sormano climb. He plummeted nine metres into a ravine, necessitating an extrication by first responders. Since the crash, he has focused on rehabilitation to return to professional cycling at the elite international level.
Timeline
2020: Evenepoel suffered life-threatening injuries during the 114th edition of Il Lombardia.
2021: The cyclist returned to professional competition at the Tokyo Olympic Games.
2023: Evenepoel visited the specific site of his accident in the ravine.
2026: The athlete returned to compete in the current Il Lombardia race.
Health Landscape
The athlete's journey mirrors the broader recovery arc seen in high-performance sports medicine following catastrophic orthopedic and pulmonary trauma. Returning to the exact site of a major accident underscores both the psychological and physical hurdles inherent in elite athletic rehabilitation.
While most recreational athletes will not experience trauma of this magnitude, the recovery path emphasizes the importance of structured, long-term rehabilitation for severe pelvic and chest injuries. Discussing recovery benchmarks with a physician is essential when returning to high-intensity physical activity after a significant fall or surgery.
The takeaway
Evenepoel's return highlights the resilience of the human body and the efficacy of modern athletic rehabilitation protocols. Always consult with a sports medicine specialist to create a personalized recovery timeline after sustaining a major injury.
Further reading
For more on the physical demands and injury recovery in professional racing, see the Cycling section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Olympics.
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