“I Have Been Struggling” – Dutch Cyclist Details Injury and Surgery Woes in Heartfelt Instagram Post

Aug 30, 2023 | 10:54 AM EDT

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Think about the biggest obstacle that could realistically stop you from doing your job – for athletes, that obstacle is getting injured. Getting injured could take an athlete in their prime and reduce them to a shell of their former selves. Be it baseball, football, cycling, basketball, or any other sport, recovering from an injury can be difficult on its own. But throwing the idea of surgery into the mix, and now you’ve got yourself in a real pickle.

Although many athletes make a comeback after going under the knife, very few ever get back to the peak of their glory days. However, at a certain point, picking surgery is the safest choice to make. Such was the case with three-time Giro Donne winner Marianne Vos, who delivered her news in a heartfelt Instagram post.

What Happened to the Cycling Enthusiast Marianne Vos?

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Vos, a three-time champ, revealed how she had pushed through the pain barrier this year. The Dutchwoman had won two individual stages – stages 3 and 4 at La Vuelta Femenina. These were her first-ever wins on the Spanish Grand Tour. However, due to the injuries she picked up along the way, Vos announced that the surgery spelled the end of her 2023 season.

Talking about her injury, she wrote, “Last week I underwent surgery on my left iliac artery. After some days in the hospital, I am currently back home to start a careful recovery and rehabilitation program of 10 weeks. Obviously, this means the end of my 2023 season.” Moreover, she also added that she is now focused on returning to competition without any symptoms and getting back to her best.

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A post shared by Marianne Vos (@mariannevosofficial)

Vos’ team shared the message on X and stressed her intention to return to the sport pain-free.

What was Vos’ Message?

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The 36-year-old cycling enthusiast shared her struggle, highlighting how she had been dealing with pain and a lack of power in her left leg for a while now. She emphasized that her struggles were only getting worse, at one point saying that she was unable to handle the pain.

“This season symptoms became worse and it wasn’t easy that I couldn’t overcome it,” the 36-year-old wrote. Vos ended her message by saying she was keen on returning to competition and thanked her followers for supporting her.

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Vos last cycled at the UCI Gravel World Series round in Sweden. In that competition, she emerged victorious at the Gravel Grit ‘n Grind in Halmstad. She has also displayed her versatility in the Giro d’Italia Donne, Tour de France Femmes, and Road World Championships.