Less than two weeks after suffering a broken collarbone at the Tour of Qatar, Team Sky’s Kurt Asle Arvesen is hopeful that he’ll be back to racing in time to take the start in two of the team’s big targets, the Tour of Flanders and Paris-Roubaix. Arvesen was recruited from Bjarne Riis’ Saxo Bank team in the off-season by Sky’s Senior Sports Director Scott Sunderland. The pair worked together when the Australian worked as a director for the Danish team, and he expects Arvesen to be a valuable asset as a captain on the road.
The Norwegian is back on the home trainer now and told VG Nett he hasn’t given up hope in recovering in time for this year’s major Spring Classics. “There is a long time to Flanders and Roubiax. I have not given up yet,” he said.
“Normally, I come into form a bit late. So we planned for me to take part in several stage races ahead of the classics this year, including Qatar and Oman. But it didn’t work out. Now we have to see if I will be ready for any of the stage races in March,” he continued.
The 35 year old knows that riding in the cobbled classics after a collarbone break is a tall order. “We will then see what my body can tolerate,” he added, “and how badly it hurts when riding over a bump.”
He’ll be heading to Team Sky’s home base in Manchester, England this weekend where he will visit with the team’s physiotherapists and doctors. He’s optimistic that he’ll be back riding on the road next week. The Tour of Flanders and Paris-Roubaix are scheduled for April 4th and 11th respectively.