(1.1) in Mallorca
Ben Healy faces a longer lay-off from racing than many would have expected after his crash in France, breaking one of his fingers. It is a blow for the 22-year-old who had clearly started his season in great form, with 3rd place at Trofeo Calvia (1.1) in Mallorca.
However, EF Education-EasyPost's Healy told stickybottle that, aside from the recovery timeframe, he also got some good news as medics believe his finger injury is quite straightforward. That means it should recover without any complications, which is not always the case with hand injuries.
Healy was among the fallers on a crash-marred stage 2 at Etoile de Bessèges the week before last. And while he finished the stage - which was neutralised after ambulances were diverted to treat injured riders - he did not start the following day.
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X-rays revealed he had broken the metacarpal bone on the ring finger. His right hand is now in a cast and Healy said he would move to a splint in the next few weeks. He faces a minimum of six weeks away from racing, though he can still train during that period.
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"I have four weeks in a cast now, which is a pain because I can't ride outside," he said. "So I'm stuck on the turbo for a bit. Then I will have a removable splint for another couple weeks so I can ride outside but not compete."
Due to that timetable for his recovery, he will have a minimum of six weeks away from racing, from February 2nd when he crashed. That would mean a return to racing, hopefully, around mid March.
Riding Omloop Het Nieuwsblad (1.UWT), on February 26th, is now ruled out, which is a shame as he rode so well in that event last year, when he was on the attack until deep into the finale. Other races he started last year, such as Strade Bianche (1.UWT) and Kuurne-Bruxelles-Kuurne (1.Pro), will also come too soon for him.
However, Healy is expected to ride the Giro this year and if he is confirmed for that race, he still has time to recover and be in good shape for the Italian Grand Tour. The fact he can train during this period on the sidelines should mean he will not need a prolonged period of building condition again once he gets back into the peloton.
