Guillaume Martin (Wanty-Groupe Gobert) had a surgery this Friday in the hospital of Herentals, Belgium. The surgery was performed successfully by renowned orthopedic surgeon Dr. Toon Claes.

The young French rider had been suffering from knee problems since December. Halfway through the training camp in Benidorm, Spain last January he travelled to Belgium for a consultation in the Herentals hospital. Dr. Claes advised Martin to take some time off the bike but unfortunately, this was not enough.

After an MRI-scan Dr. Claes decided that surgery on the knee was necessary. Martin can now start his recovery period, which involves three days of moving around on crutches. After ten days, he can slowly try to move the knee joint again. Martin will not be able to ride his bike before the end of February.

"In 3 or 4 weeks I can restart on the bike with easy training seasons. The team and I aim for a return to competition early April, in the Coupe de France races: Route Adélie de Vitré or Paris-Camembert. I don't want to put too much of a fixed date in my head. A fast return and then a backlash is not what I want. I do hope to return in-form for the Ardennes Classics to continue racing in May with the Criterium du Dauphiné in the back of my head," Martin declared.