Remco Bastepoel made his competitive return to spectacular fashion by winning Brabantse Pijl in Flanders on Friday, four months after suffering serious injuries in a collision.

Soudal-Quick Step knight locked in a strong battle with compatriot Wout van aert (Visma-jep with a bike) for most of the last part of the race, before they came out victorious in a sprint in line.

unitA dual Olympic champion told the race that he thought his cycling career could end in December after he crashed into the open door of a postal vehicle while on a training trip.

The 25-year-old Belgium suffered numerous injuries, including fractures in his ribs, shoulder blade and hand, and contusion in his lungs.

“I really needed this race to find some answers to all the questions I had, and now I feel a great relief,” Said ensepoel.

“Winning this race, in a sprint against Wout, gives me a lot of confidence for future competitions. During the race, I felt the legs were good enough, so I decided to attack and we opened a gap.

“It made us believe in our chances, and we continued to continue until I was alone and extended to the closing kilometer. I felt that I was strong in the finals and gave my best there.

“It was a perfect day for us and that brought me a lot of pleasure.”

It was Bastepoel’s first victory after he held his court title on the World Street in Zurich, Switzerland in September.

Bastepoel will compete in the Amstel Gold race, La Flex Wallonne and Liege-Bastogne-Liege, which he has won twice.