Niek Kimmann starts despite a hit: ‘Don’t send fruit baskets’ | Sport

sport">Van der Biezen mainly wants to create clarity around his driver. “We read the wildest stories on social media and get the strangest questions. Niek and the team would like to make it clear that we are just at the start and that no fruit baskets need to be sent. He will experience pain while driving, but the pain relief should take that away for the most part. You never have any guarantees, but we have a lot of confidence that we will succeed in getting him fit at the start.”

small tear

sport">The national coach could not believe what he saw at first. “You don’t think about it. Someone crosses the road while Niek hangs in the air at a 50 kilometer gait. He couldn’t go any further.” The official was transported to hospital with serious injuries, Kimmann broke off his training and was told after an examination that there is a small tear in his kneecap.

sport">“It is not ideal after five years of training that this happens three days before the competition,” said Van der Biezen. “The medical staff expects him to be able to start. We’re going to need pain relief, but we think he can go full steam ahead. There is no damage to tendons or ligaments and no risk of damaging them by cycling. And Niek is also used to something.”

Regen

sport">The unfortunate BMX rider rode the Rio Olympic final with a damaged ankle after crashing hard in the semi-final. During the examination, he stepped off the table with the doctor because he wanted to ride his final. Kimmann will be treated intensively on Wednesday and Thursday on the damaged left knee. “He has cycled a bit but, like most, has not been on the track. Due to the rain in Tokyo, we thought it wise to cycle here in the village.”

sport">Kimmann rides the BMX competitions at the Games together with fellow countrymen Twan van Gendt and Joris Harmsen. Laura Smulders, Judy Baauw and Merel Smulders participate in the women’s competition. After the quarter-finals on Thursday, the semi-finals and the finals for the medals will be held on Friday.

–