Amy Pieters has regained consciousness and can “communicate slightly non-verbally” four months after a crash during a training ride.
The 30-year-old suffered a head injury and had been in a coma after undergoing a life-saving operation following the accident in Spain. In January, she was transferred from a hospital in Alicante to one in her native Netherlands but remained unconscious.
In a statement, her team SD Worx said Pieters’ condition had changed but her long term outlook remains unknown.
“Amy recognises people, understands what is being said and is able to carry out more and more assignments,” the team said. “Doctors cannot yet say what residual symptoms and remaining abilities Amy Pieters will have as a result of the brain injury.”
“The family appreciates the enormous sympathy shown, but also asks everyone to respect the privacy of those involved.”
Alongside Kirsten Wild, Pieters had become the Madison world champion for a third consecutive year and also won stage two of the Women’s Tour in 2021.
She also won the Dutch national road race and Nokere Koerse in Belgium last year.
