Top triathlon star on the way back after being ‘frozen up with fear’ following horror bike crash in New Zealand

Belgian triathlete Pieter Heemeryck believes he is regaining confidence ‘one step at a time’ after the horror training crash which saw him ruled out of the early part of the 2025 season with a broken collar bone.

Three months on from the surgery which would leave him needing a metal plate inserted into his damaged shoulder, the 35-year-old accepts it is now his mind as much as his body that needs time to recover.

After two false restarts, where his bike failed him at the City Triathlon Leuven and then fear got the better of him in treacherous conditions at IRONMAN 70.3 Kraichgau, he finally managed to complete a race at the T100 Triathlon World Tour San Francisco – and is now keen to look forward rather than back.

A finishing position of 12th was of no real concern for Pieter, this was all about being able to cross a finishing line and building up the belief again that he was fit enough and brave enough to compete at the highest level once more – starting in Vancouver this weekend.

Learning to trust the bike again

Writing on his Instagram account this week, Heemeryck said: “Can’t believe it’s already been a week since racing the @‌t100triathlon in San Francisco! 🌉

“Competing alongside the world’s best again was a milestone in itself. Three months post-surgery, I’m still learning to fully trust the bike again, especially on the descents, but this race reminded me just how far I’ve come.

“San Francisco was about more than results: it was about showing up, enjoying the race, and regaining confidence one step at a time. Now it’s time to keep that momentum going. Next stop: @‌t100triathlon Vancouver this weekend! 🔥”

In the immediate aftermath of the San Francisco event, the Belgian had spoken of his ‘pure enjoyment’ at being back participating in triathlon, having earlier admitted that his body had ‘frozen up with fear’ weeks earlier in Kraichgau.

‘The crash still lingers’

“I knew I wasn’t ready to take risks,” he said. “The crash in Taupo still lingers, more than I expected, especially on a wet and technical course. Sometimes the bravest move is to step off the bike and choose long-term goals over short-term pride.”

The crash in Taupo came a matter of hours before he was due to take part in his opening race of the season – the IRONMAN New Zealand in March – when he was hit by a car during a warm-up ride.

With surgery and recovery now complete, he heads off to Canada this weekend hoping to complete another step on his way to full race sharpness.