Rabobank rider Sebastian Langeveld was forced to head home early from Mallorca earlier this month due to knee problems. The promising young classics specialist was there to contest the Mallorca Challenge, but once he complained about knee pain, the team didn't want to take a chance on worsening his injury and risk the rider missing his primary objectives, the Spring Classics.
"We decided to assume the worst," explained sports director Erik Dekker at the time.
Langeveld told Rabosport what happened on the Spanish island: "We arrived a few days before the start of the Mallorca Challenge. I had three days where I was able to train well, but I suddenly began to suffer from an irritation to my knee. It became difficult to continue. I went home for an examination and to get treatment. My main goals for the season were approaching fast, so I could not afford to stop my preparations."
Once home, the specialists couldn't pinpoint the problem with his knee. "It was not clear what exactly it was, but it was not serious. Perhaps due to over training," he explained.
Doctors recommended three weeks rest, but that would have put Langeveld too far behind to reasonably contest the Spring Classics. The Rabobank leadership came up with a plan for treatment with osteopath Björn Vanmelkebeke, which saw the rider skip the Vuelta ao Algarve, and pick up his racing in Spain.
Following two weeks of prescirbed rest with a custom training program, he was able to race this week in the Ruta del Sol. Langeveld told Rabosport that the nagging pain in his knee is still not completely gone, but he is on the road to recovery. "I am hopeful that I will be good by the Tirreno-Adriatico. We are almost back on track," he said.
He completed the Spanish race saying things went "pretty good", although he still experienced some pain. "I still have some problems with my knee, but it doesn't slow me down. It bothers me more mentally than physically. I am still a bit careful, but I'm pleased that I can see progress in the recovery. It is actually a little better each day. The condition is quite good, but I'm a little behind schedule. But everything will be fine. I feel surprisingly strong. Better than I expected," he said.
With Belgian racing calendar opening this weekend the Rabobank rider is still optimistic about his chances adding, "Now I have shifted my goals. It comes quickly, but I won't count myself out for a result."