Cycling-Evenepoel fends off Van Aert in winning return after horror crash

FILE PHOTO: Cycling - UCI World Championships 2024 - Zurich, Switzerland - September 22, 2024 Gold medallist Belgium's Remco Evenepoel celebrates on the podium after winning the men's elite individual time trial to become world champion REUTERS/Stefan Wermuth/File Photo

(Reuters) - Remco Evenepoel made his competitive return in spectacular fashion by winning the Brabantse Pijl in Flanders on Friday, four months after suffering serious injuries in a crash.

The Soudal-Quick Step rider was locked in an intense battle with compatriot Wout van Aert (Visma-Lease a bike) for much of the final portion of the race, before emerging victorious in a sprint to the line.