The visit had really spurred me on to get back riding on my bike, and prove to the specialist and experts that I can ride at a Professional Level again. I was booked in for a number of sessions at the Physiotherapy Department, and I was determined to get myself on the road to recovery.

Over the next few weeks, I improved dramatically, it was great to be abl to walk unaided again. I was able to walk unaided, and I was also getting close to being pain-free with some of my exercises. Obviously, I had to ask how long it would be before I could try getting back on my bike. My reply was positive, and I would be able to try myself out on a turbo trainer in just a couple of weeks.

Back in Johannesburg, the Cell C ProCycling p/b travelstart Team was being officially unveiled to the World's Press. Interest in the team had grown since it was leaked that I would be joining them as part of my comeback, and it was such a shame that I couldn't be present for the big reveal.

The team looked strong, bringing together established South African riders with the hopeful future stars of the sport.


As I read the names, I was really happy with the work that Louis had done with me in a hospital bed after the accident. He had been able to negotiate himself out of his MTN-Qhubeka contract, and bring with him some great riders, notably Goredema Chisiza, who was a good friend from the season at Europcar.

It was going to be an exciting season ahead. I just couldn't wait to be part of it.

HuDCC wrote:
I believed that Martijn will go with Cell C next season! Very happy with that decision!

At the end of January, almost 5 months after my accident, I was ready to get back on the bike. I started off on the turbo trainer at home in Geneva. The first few pedal strokes felt good, but wow, it hurt. I had only been properly walking for a few weeks or so, so it was expected but I wanted to get back out on the open road as soon as I could.

In search of warmer weather, I flew out to South Africa, and met up with the Cell C team bosses at the main base in Johannesburg. We sat down, had a chat about my accident, the recovery and what I wanted to do this season before heading out on my new team issue bike.

Being back out on the open road felt amazing. It made me feel like an amateur again, as I tried to attack the climbs and test my limits. Just like an amateur, I had set my sights on reaching the top of the sport. This time, it would be part of my comeback.

After a couple of days, I was feeling sore. My lower back and shoulder ached at the end of each day, and the more the week went on, the less power I was able to put into the pedals due the injuries suffered to my pelvis and upper thigh. Nonetheless, it was progress.

Before jetting back to Europe, I sat down to discuss my schedule with Robbie Hunter, who had joined the team as Directeur Sportif over the winter. The Race Calendar was well-thought out, taking into account my return to the sport and where I wanted to be at the end of the year.

Date	Race	Country
28 Mar	Circuit International d'Alger	Algeria
6-12 Apr	Mzansi Tour	South Africa
22-25 Apr	Tour of Eritrea	Eritrea
9 May	Trophée Princier	Morocco
10 May	Trophée de l'Anniversaire	Morocco
12 May	Trophée de la Maison Royale	Morocco
28 May - 1 Jun	Volta do Paraná	Brazil
5-8 Jun	Tour of Latvia	Latvia
24-28 Aug	Kerman Tour	Iran
2-7 Sep	Tour of Alberta	Canada
13 Sep	Bucks County Classic	United States
20 Sep	Bohemia Tour	Czech Republic
4 Oct	Pro Cycling Marathon	Portugal

Despite lacking race days, 35 in total, I was happy with the calendar we had put together. I could return to racing, build up slowly, and the larger than normal mid-season break gave me plenty of rest and recovery. I just disappointed that I wouldn't be able to defend my National Titles.

the_hoyle wrote:
@danny: Let's hope so. Obviously Martijn's stats have been amended to take the injury into account. He is no longer at his WorldTour level

The South African National Championships have always held a special place in my heart. I was a Three-Time Time Trial Champion and a Two-Time Road Race Champion, and it always enjoyed riding on the home roads. I was the defending champion, but sadly I was not able to recover in time. However, I was still going to be here for the Road Race - I was Cell C's Directeur Sportif for the day!

The route in Nelspruit was based around the 2015 course, where I had finished 2nd in a sprint to the line with Reinardt Janse Van Rensberg. Whilst looking hilly on paper, it was a Sprinter's race if rode correctly. It was all going to be for Chisiza at the end today.

Goredema Howard (Cycling SA) and Jaco Venter (MTN) formed the day's break, attacking just after the 10km mark. Knowing that a break could last until the finish, the gap was well monitored, and never got more than 4'00 all stage.

With an MTN rider in the break, it was down to Cell C to set the pace. Smit, Girdlestone and Jennings had a long day ahead on the front, but we hoped that their work would be rewarded at the end.

Approaching the final third of the race, MTN tried to counteract our chase tactic, and attacked with Impey and Thomson. Both were strong enough to take the title, and it put considerable pressure on us to up our pace.

Jim joined our trio on the front, and soon the gap began to tumble. With 12km to go, the lead group was caught, it was looking like it would be ending in a Mass Sprint.

The Cell C train was just like HTC's in all its glory! It was amazing to see them working as one, taking control of the sprint. Potgieter set the pace, with Masaku, Meintjes and then Chisiza at the back ready to go.

Louis dropped off Goredema in the perfect spot! Janse van Rensberg (Wanty) was looking dangerous on Chisiza's shoulder, with Impey closing in quickly behind him! Could our young sprinter hold on?

YES HE CAN!! What a victory! Chisiza kicks once, and then again, and takes his first National title. If anyone had seen me in the team car, they would have thought that I had just won the race myself! What a great day!

1	Goredema Chisiza	Cell C ProCycling p/b travelstart	3h49'57
2	Reinardt J. Van Rensburg	Wanty - Groupe Gobert	s.t.
3	Daryl Impey	MTN - Qhubeka	s.t.
4	Mashama Nkumbula	Petronas-HTC ProCycling	s.t.
5	Chenzira Mokganyetsi	Cycling SA Development Team	s.t.
6	Jay Robert Thomson	MTN - Qhubeka	s.t.
7	Calvin Beneke	Cycling SA Development Team	s.t.
8	Petiri Nomvete	Cycling SA Development Team	s.t.
9	Dakarai Tekere	MTN - Qhubeka	s.t.
10	Christiaan Kriek	MTN - Qhubeka	s.t.

The day has arrived. Over six months after my accident on that mountain in Switzerland, I make my comeback to the racing in Algeria. In new colours, without the Rainbow Flag on my chest, but it is the first race of my 2017 season.

The race in question is the Circuit International d'Alger, a hilly circuit around the Algerian capital. Normally, this sort of course would normally have my name written all over it, but not after my last half year. I will try to be my usual competitive self, but we will have to see how I get on.

A group of 9 riders formed the day's early break, and slowly the gap grew to around the 6 minute mark. Cell C and BKCP set themselves up on the front, and slowly the break was pulled back.

With less than 20km to the finish, the gap was down to under a minute, and I was eager to test myself out. I attacked hard, and my legs seemed respond to the acceleration.

With 5km to go, I was still off the front. Josy Libois (BKCP) was in pursuit behind, whilst Terengganu were arranging their train behind for J.J. Lobato.

The final climb before the finish would be my downfall. Libois came past me like I was stood still, and Lobato was soon following him. My legs had stopped altogether, but I was hoping to hang on for a podium.

Libois comfortably took the victory, as the Belgian finished strongly to hold off the peleton. Lobato came home 2nd, and Tyler Day put in a fantastic finishing sprint to finish 3rd. I looked good for a podium, but as I went to jump out the saddle, my legs just gave way. I rolled across the line in 43rd, and a lot of pain.

1	Josy Libois	BKCP - Powerplus	2h28'42
2	Juan José Lobato	Terengganu Cycling Team	+ 24
3	Tyler Day	Cell C ProCycling p/b travelstart	s.t.
4	Byron Guama	LKT Team Brandenburg	s.t.
5	Vitaliy Popkov	Gerolsteiner	s.t.
6	Jérôme Baugnies	Veranclassic - Doltcini	s.t.
7	Azzedine Lagab	Vélo Club Sovac	s.t.
8	Mudada Masaku	Cell C ProCycling p/b travelstart	s.t.
9	Charles Warrender	Champion System	s.t.
10	Sondre Sørtveit	TEAM Procom	s.t.
...
43	Martijn North	Cell C ProCycling p/b travelstart	s.t.