Cyclocross fans have hope that Dutch cyclocross star Lars van der Haar will be returning to the races in a few weeks.
Lars van der Haar hopes to come back in January 2017. photo: Van der haar riding a patient race to finish third. Elite Men. 2016 Koppenbergcross, DVV Verzekeringen Trofee Series race #2. © B. Hazen / Cyclocross Magazine
Van der Haar suffered a tear in his left rectus femoris muscle in his quad at the 2016 Superprestige Ruddervoorde, and some said his cyclocross season would be over due to a 12-week recovery needed.
However Van der Haar is back on the bike again, and is holding out hope he can return to top-level cyclocross racing in January.
Opnames vr Proximus 11: @FemkeHerygers in gesprek met de revaliderende @larsvanderhaar. Coach @sven_nys supportert mee. pic.twitter.com/InqssBWNfe
— Mikaël Soinne (@miksoinne) December 1, 2016
“The rehabilitation is going well,” he told Sporza. “The muscle tear is recovering nicely, but sprints and interval training are not yet possible.”
While Van der Haar has had a season to forget, missing the U.S. World Cups due to hamstring issues before this latest injury, he’s motivated to salvage the season with a few good efforts.
“I would like to ride a few races,” he said. “If you quit now, and then start again in March, you never know where you stand.”
He remains hopeful that he can be one to make the races difficult for the dominant duo of Wout van Aert and Mathieu van der Poel, revealing hopes that he can “steal a race” from them this season.
Van der Poel isn’t the only Dutch cyclocrosser working towards a comeback. After 687 days away, seven-time World Champion Marianne Vos is making her comeback this Saturday at the Soudal Scheldecross in Antwerp.
