Still hopes to do the Tour de France.
Team Sky’s Edvald Boasson Hagen has now been sidelined with an Achilles tendon problem for nearly half of his season, and his recovery process now seems to be at a frustrating standstill. The young prodigy’s problems started following Milan-Sanremo, in what was the first Classic for his new team, and his first opportunity to ride la Primavera as a team leader.
His difficulty in securing a high placing in Italy were from a past stomach problem that resurfaced, but soon after the affects from cycling’s longest Classic took their toll. He was able to take the start and finish the E3 Prijs in late March, but after what looked like some progress with the injury, he was unable to contest the rest of the spring Classics.
“The situation is more or less the same as it has been in recent weeks,” Boasson Hagen told Norwegian TV2. “My Achilles is neither better nor worse. I have started a new treatment with Voltaren [anti-inflammatory medication]. In addition, I’m seeing a physiotherapist for treatment.”
Boasson Hagen has started seeing Tom Skjønnhaug, a man who is held in high regard for having previously sorted out compatriot Thor Hushovd’s (Cervelo TestTeam) neck issues. He is known as the “miracle man”, which is just what the soon to be 23 year old will need if he’s to ride the Tour de France in July.
He confirmed that he’s still able to get out on the bike, but he needs to take it easy and keep it short.
“I have been training around two hours per day, divided into two sessions. I either ride the rollers or take an easy ride outside on the road when the weather is good,” he explained.
It’s still not certain as to whether he’ll be able to take part in the Tour de France this July, but he remains optimistic. Riding the Tour de Suisse to prepare for July is still an option, but he, as well as his supportive Sky team, are smart enough to know that pushing things isn’t worth the risk.
“It is hardly the last time that I will have a chance to ride the Tour de France, but it would obviously be extremely disappointing,” he told NTB. “That would mean that most of my season will have gone down the drain since I’ve also missed the spring Classics.”