VDS Sick List: make sure your pick has got a pulse here!

Photo by Stefano Sirotti

There's nothing more frustrating than putting together your exquisitely modulated VDS team, only to discover an hour after you press 'Submit' that Speedy Jimmy broke his toe two weeks ago and won't be riding until June.

News of rider injuries pop up in different forms - on Twitter, in TV commentary, on any number of cycling websites. It's difficult to keep track of them all, and even the injury list maintained by data giant ProCyclingStats isn't comprehensive. This year there's an added complication, as if you needed reminding. Suffice it to say that Fernando Gaviria remains (thankfully) one of a very few cases of known Covid sufferers worldwide who have contracted different strains of the disease twice. Surely he can't get it a third time.....

So think of this thread as a crowd-sourced service to your fellow DSers. If you spot or hear anything amiss with Rog's knee, Pog's thigh, Hig's elbow or Remco's gluteus maximus, let us all know by VDS D-for-Deadline day: Feb 20th.

Here's an initial list of notable malingerers. Please see below for more names and fave the thread to keep it in public view.

Remco Evenepoel:

Hasn't recovered from last year's crash as quickly as originally suggested. His return to full training has been delayed; he appears unlikely to be fully fit for several more weeks. NB: He's still on the startlist for the Giro!

Benoit Cosnefroy:

Currently out with a knee injury. The first race on his calendar is the Basque Country in early April.

Michael Valgren:

Crashed in his first outing of the year (Besseges 03/02), broke two fingers and the hearts of his many fans. Out for a month (estimated).

Wilco Kelderman:

Hit by a car on a Bora training ride. Out for three months. Still down for the Tour de France.

Julian Alaphilippe:

Still nursing a hurty hand from last year, poor dear, but there's nothing wrong with his legs. Back in action in Provence next week (11th Feb)!

Miguel Angel Lopez:

Superman succumbed to a nasty dose of kryptonite Covid but his new team Movistar hiopes he'll resume training soon. The first race on his calendar is currently Catalonia in late March.

Stay safe, everyone!