Van Riel vows to ‘create a stronger me than ever’ after ankle injury

News Director

Belgian star Marten Van Riel faces a spell without running after he confirmed the cause of ankle pain which had been troubling him.

He took a crashing fall on the run within sight of the finish at WTCS Leeds in June but still managed to crawl over the line in 12th place.

Initially it appeared a dislocated shoulder was the more serious issue but he told us soon after: “My shoulder is actually fine, just very sore. I am a bit worried about my ankle.”

MRI shows ankle issue

And the ankle has proved a problem ever since as he confirmed this week on Instagram: “Those who saw my long rides on Strava might have been suspecting something!

“Unfortunately my fall in Leeds left a bigger mark than expected/hoped. After 7 weeks of running with pain in my ankle, last week I started developing sharper pain. An MRI revealed bone oedema in my talus (ankle bone). A couple of weeks without running now and then we will have to evaluate how it progresses 😥.”

Marten Van Riel wins IRONMAN 70.3 Dubai 2022
Marten Van Riel wins IRONMAN 70.3 Dubai 2022 (Photo Credit: James Mitchell / IRONMAN)

The year started in fine style for Van Riel when he claimed an impressive victory at IRONMAN 70.3 Dubai, beating Kristian Blummenfelt and Daniel Bækkegård among others as he made it two wins out of two at that distance.

But he then endured a frustrating time at the Arena Games ahead of Leeds, after which he was still able to manage a top 10 at WTCS Montreal.

He said on Instagram: “The season was already not going how I wanted at all and this just adds to that disappointment. 

“The only thing I can do now is use this period to create a stronger me than ever. @woutvanaert bike mode has already been activated (24 hours last week),” he added, referencing Belgian cycling superstar Wout van Aert.

Latest News
Thor Bendix Madsen - IRONMAN 70.3 Lanzarote 2023 - run
Thor Bendix Madsen puts season on hold
Alex Yee Marten Van Riel copyright Darren Wheeler SLT
“One more shot” at Olympic glory for Marten Van Riel in Paris
Mike Phillips winning the 2023 IRONMAN 70.3 Geelong [Photo credit: Korupt Vision]
PTO World Rankings: Phillips and Thek main movers after weekend Down Under
RaceRanger draft zone sticker 2023
Red light for the draft zone – RaceRanger tech gets go ahead for Ibiza
Lionel Sanders and Rudy Von Berg sprint at IRONMAN 70.3 Oceanside 2022 Photo Credit: Donald Miralle / IRONMAN
No go for ‘No Limits’ as Lionel Sanders rules himself out of Oceanside