Marten van Riel is enduring yet more pain after a bike crash in training put him out of Friday’s PTO US Open in Milwaukee.
The 30-year-old Belgian star had targeted the big-money PTO events this year after suffering through a difficult 2022 with injuries. He was hoping to mix it with the likes of Jan Frodeno, Kristian Blummenfelt and Magnus Ditlev in the big showdown this week.
But disaster struck as he prepared for the race, with a training ride ending in disaster, followed by both physical and mental agony.
Marten van Riel on US Open KO
Van Riel said on Instagram: “No PTO for me ❌🥲
“I dropped my chain and went over my handlebars on a training ride, flying straight into a lantern pole with my back. Five bruised ribs and a fractured scapula are the verdict. Although the physical pain is bad, the mental pain is a lot worse.
“The PTO races were definitely my A-races this year and I had not been as excited for racing in a long time! After all that happened last year I am super hungry to prove myself, and to have to sit on the sidelines again hurts 🤕
“Unfortunately we cannot change the cards we are dealt, just how we play the hand! 🃏
“A little positive note; the injury itself shouldn’t put me out of training for too long 🤞😊
The latest injury is just another blow in a catalogue of mishaps for van Riel. His 2022 was decimated by injury and illness after he had started the year in brilliant style with a terrific win at IRONMAN 70.3 Dubai.
Despite all those mishaps and all that misfortune, he was still pinpointed by Kristian Blummenfelt as the big danger for that upcoming US Open showdown in Milwaukee. We hope to see him back racing soon.
