Wellens returns ahead of Ardennes Classics after broken collarbone at Kuurne

Tim Wellens is set to return to racing at Brabantse Pijl on Friday, April 17, for the first time since fracturing his collarbone at Kuurne-Brussels-Kuurne.

The Belgian champion was involved in a heavy crash on March 1 at Kuurne-Brussel-Kuurne, crashing into a ditch on the roadside with 110km of the race still remaining. 

Wellens suffered a broken collarbone as a consequence, ruling him out of the remaining cobbled Classics, leaving the team with a significant hole to fill in their Monument quest with Tadej Pogačar.

However, Wellens is now set to make his return to action at Brabantse Pijl on Belgian soil, a race which marks the transition from the cobbled Classics to the Ardennes. 

“I’m looking forward to my first race back after the crash, it took quite a long time before I was back,” said Wellens in the team's official announcement. “I was 3 weeks off the road in total and lost quite a bit of condition. I’ve been able to build up some form but feel like I’m still far from my best shape."

It’s a race that Wellens has a great history with as well. In eight appearances at the race, Wellens has finished on the podium on three occasions, taking 3rd in 2019 and 2024, and more importantly, soloing to victory in 2018.

“I have great memories from Brabantse Pijl since my victory in 2018 – it’s a race that suits me. I’m also very happy to show my national jersey again in Belgium,” said Wellens. “I won’t have the best legs but I’ll do my best to work for the team as I build up for the goals ahead.”

Following Wellens’ 2018 success, the race endured a six-year spell without a Belgian victory until last year, when Remco Evenepoel outsprinted Wout van Aert in a two-man sprint. 

Completing the UAE Team Emirates-XRG line-up alongside Wellens is Filippo Baroncini, Mikkel Bjerg, fellow former winner Benoît Cosnefroy, Luca Giami, Florian Vermeersch and Matteo Vanden Wijngaert.

Wellens will also feature in the Emirati team’s line-up for Amstel Gold Race on Sunday, April 19, alongside Bjerg, Cosnefroy, Giaimi, Felix Großschartner, Brandon McNulty and Pavel Sivakov.