After his terrible crash at the 2015 Vuelta, Kris Boeckmans started the season in March at the Handzame Classic. During the year, the Lotto Soudal rider regained his feelings and even finished in the top 5 a few times. Boeckmans almost feels like before and now has new ambitions. 

"I had to work hard to become a rider,” he told Belga. “The season was marked by the recovery and return to my former level. It is only now since I resumed training after the break late in the season that I gradually feel like before and that everything is like it should be. Every day last season I got up with the idea: ‘What can I and what should I do to improve myself?’ That was my goal. I was not yet ready to be a leader. In 2017, I want to again assume that role. "

Despite his heavy crash that ended his 2015 season on the roads of the eighth stage of the Vuelta, the Belgian claims to have put his fears aside. He will be back in the sprints in 2017 to try to get a win and the momentum from 2015 when he won eight races. 

"That's the idea. I am not afraid. I did a few sprints for the team last season and I was happy.” 

Boeckmans was unfortunately not the only rider of the team to have had a bad crash since teammate Stig Broeckx was involved in a serious accident during the Belgium Tour. He is still seriously injured although the latest news are positive. Boeckmans will try to fight for his compatriot and show how he can return to his best despite his accident.