ProTeam Sébastien Grignard resumes in Dunkirk after a spring marked by bad luck

For Lotto Dstny rider Sébastien Grignard, the spring was filled with bad luck. After a crash in Etoile de Bessèges early in the season, the 24-year-old Belgian returned to competition mid-March. At Paris-Roubaix, Grignard suffered a concussion and a fracture in his hand after a heavy crash on the cobbles. At the 4 Jours de Dunkerque, Grignard will make his comeback in the peloton hoping to contribute to the team success once again.

"I don't remember anything about the fall itself," Grignard looks back on the crash in Paris-Roubaix. "About halfway on the Viesly à Quiévy section, I was involved in a crash that also included Peter Sagan. In the hospital I heard the verdict: a concussion and some bruising around my shoulder. A few weeks later, a new scan showed a fracture in my hand. This delayed my return to the peloton."

For the 24-year-old rider, the crash in the Hell of the North was not the first of the season: "At the beginning of the season, I already crashed pretty hard in Bessèges. At that time, I was afraid I wouldn't be back in time for the Classics. I really wanted to be at the start of these races to be able to play my part in the team's strong spring campaign. So that crash in Paris-Roubaix was a real bummer."

Nevertheless, Grignard's recovery went quite smoothly. After just a few days of rest, he was already back to training and preparing for his return to competition.

"It's always a bit nerve-wracking to race again after a fall, but I'm looking forward to it," said Grignard, who pinned on a number again at the kermesse race GP Vermarc. "It may take some time to find my rhythm, but I am happy to be back again."

This week, Grignard will ride the 4 Jours de Dunkerque for the first time: "This is a race that should suit me. I am especially looking forward to racing a few days in a row. That will really give me an idea of my form. I hope we can deliver another strong collective performance."

The rider is eager to take on the rest of the season: "We have some great races coming up and I want to be there to support my team," Grignard said. "We have some strong riders who can get even more results in the coming months and I want to be there to help them."

Images: Photonews & Maxime Van der Wielen