‘Overthinking is not going to help’ – Marten van Riel taking recovery step by step

Marten van Riel say he is striving to maintain a positive outlook as he continues his recovery from an ankle injury.

The Belgian star’s 2022 season came to an abrupt end last June when he took a heavy fall at WTCS Leeds.

The incident not only left him with a dislocated shoulder, but, more concerningly, a bone oedema in the talus (ankle bone).

Van Riel, who claimed an eye-catching IRONMAN 70.3 Dubai victory at the start of last year, has endured a frustrating rehabilitation process so far.

Positive outlook

But amid the mental challenge of such a lengthy return to fitness, the 30-year-old is doing his best to focus on the small gains he is making each week.

“Trying to focus on what lies ahead,” he wrote on Instagram. “I have had a lot of doubts lately, unsure if I will ever be able to get back to where I was 12 months ago.

“Pondering about being sidelined for this long literally makes me sick to my stomach.”

“So overthinking is not going to help. I have been making some little steps forward these last weeks!

“The only thing in my control is to give it my best every day and keep moving forward.”