The Dutch National Track Cycling Championships were held in Apeldoorn between Christmas and New Year's Eve. Aerodynamics are a crucial discipline where every detail counts. Lonneke Geraerts won a bronze medal in the women's sprint. A truly remarkable achievement, as she was sidelined for three months this summer after shoulder surgery and has had to compete without the support of the Dutch team since the beginning of the season. We delve into the details of her rehabilitation, the National Championship race, and the future with Lonneke.
Injuries and an unavoidable operation
Let's go back in time, because Lonneke's career has been marked by a series of injuries. Initially, she struggled with back pain, which a highly skilled physiotherapist helped her with. In addition, she had a shoulder that regularly dislocated. Lonneke: "I'd actually known for years that I needed surgery, but there was always pressure to perform." Because the talent group at Papendal was canceled last season and she found herself without a team, this was the moment for her to have the surgery. "The MRI looked like my labrum was torn, but during the surgery it turned out to be completely torn. They reattached it, and then it was just a matter of recovery." The doctor told her she had nine months of rehabilitation ahead of her. "Then I immediately thought: that's too long for me." Lonneke asked her doctor if there really weren't any ways to get back on the bike sooner, and there certainly were. At the end of July, she underwent surgery and was back on the track in early November. Pain-free? Yes, I still have a little discomfort sometimes, but it always goes away quickly. It doesn't bother me at all anymore.
From operation to starting list
A stable shoulder later, but also three months without training. That's quite a bit of training to catch up on. Lonneke: "After the surgery, I didn't immediately get back on the bike. Because I lost my place on the Dutch team, I thought, 'Just leave it for a while.'" However, after a while, the itch started to return, and she slowly picked up some training at the gym. As soon as the doctors gave her the green light, Lonneke got back on the bike. "Then I started training again and competed in one race before the National Championships, just to see what the level would be like." The National Championships weren't necessarily the goal at first, she says. "But I realized my level was fine, and I had nothing to lose." And so, just five months after her surgery, Lonneke was at the start of the National Track Cycling Championships. "I actually expected to finish fourth, because the girls who are joint world champions were also competing, so it was rather unrealistic to put myself above that." But reality turned out differently, and Lonneke finished third, behind Steffie van der Peet and Kimberly Kalee. "Because I went into it with a clean slate, I couldn't fail. I've reached a good level of fitness in such a short time of training."
Moving on your own terms
A fitting end to a long injury chapter and a prelude to more in the future. "It would be great if I could build on this." Lonneke has decided to do things her own way. "I'm going to forge my own path and do what I enjoy. So if I ever want to train in Amsterdam, I'll go to Amsterdam. The same goes for Alkmaar or Zolder, across the border in Belgium." She explains how this choice has brought her peace of mind. "Especially mentally, I'm calmer. It might sound strange, but it gives me a bit more confidence. In the Dutch team, I always had very strict requirements to meet, and I was tested so often. And I don't have those moments anymore." She admits it's a difficult path, not least because she now has to arrange everything herself. "That's why I'm also very happy with the support from Airoman. The overshoes fit really well, are fast, and look great. That's also very nice." She concludes: "I'm going into the coming season without any expectations." I have nothing to lose and just want to get the best out of myself!'
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