Major setback for Tudor and Stefan Küng: return to full training only expected in around three months after surgery

It was a grim sight during Opening Weekend. A huge number of crashes led to injuries for many riders, and Küng was among the biggest casualties. He went down hard on the cobbles in the finale of Omloop Het Nieuwsblad and stayed on the ground in obvious pain.

The cause soon became clear: Küng had broken his left femur and needed surgery — which has now been successfully completed, Tudor report in their update. “Stefan underwent successful surgery on Monday evening for the fracture to his left femur, during which the femur was realigned and stabilised,” the team said.

A return to the peloton is not on the cards for the powerhouse Swiss rider for the time being. “He has started mobilising immediately after surgery, but he must keep weight off his left leg in the coming weeks and use crutches,” Tudor explain. For now, Küng will not be able to ride outdoors.

“If his recovery goes according to plan, Stefan may be able to begin light training on the rollers within three to four weeks. It is expected he can resume full training in around three months,” the team continued — meaning Tudor will be without their classics leader for a significant chunk of the season. Exactly when Küng can return to racing remains unclear.

“The top priority for Stefan and the team is a full recovery. It is therefore too early to say anything about a possible return to the peloton,” Tudor add. After a dramatic Omloop, the Swiss ProTeam did at least bounce back with an impressive double podium at Kuurne–Brussels–Kuurne.