Tiesj Benoot returns from surgery at the Tour de Suisse with a Tour de France place still to earn

We — and the man himself, of course — have had to wait a while for it, but Tiesj Benoot finally makes his debut for new team Decathlon CMA CGM on Wednesday. At the Tour de Suisse, the experienced Belgian returns to racing after months on the sidelines. So where does he stand? And what are his ambitions?

The story is well known by now: Benoot needed surgery for a herniated disc in February, forcing the Belgian to write off 'his' spring. Now, almost half a year on, he is back in competition. And that is something special, given that it will be his first race in the new kit.

"Special" is how Benoot describes his return in conversation with Gazet van Antwerpen. "I haven't raced for more than eight months. That hasn't happened since before I turned professional. It was ambitious to assume after the operation that I'd start at the Tour de Suisse, but there you go — it worked. I hope it goes well."

The veteran has brought a clear goal to Switzerland. "The main thing is that I win back a bit of confidence this week and can prove I'm ready for the Tour. Normally I'll be going to the Tour," he says firmly. That has to happen in what he calls a "tough race, but ideal because it's only five days."

Benoot is certainly looking forward to his comeback, which he will approach without stress. "I've often started my season at Omloop Het Nieuwsblad. That brings more stress, because there's real pressure to perform. Now nobody expects a result from me. This week I just have to get better with the Tour in mind," he says calmly.

The route, in any case, is well suited to testing the legs. "Especially the first two days. It's going to be hard. Narrow roads, twisting and turning. UAE will ride hard straight away too, so Pogačar can drop Van der Poel in the finale. They'll be two important days. By Thursday evening I'll already know a lot more," Benoot concludes.