Petr Vakoč (Alpecin Phoenix) has achieved his goal of returning to the top level of the sport after a devastating injury, and the 29-year-old is deeply satisfied.

The Czech rider was struck by a truck from behind at the start of 2018, fracturing six vertebrae and forcing a long recovery that included multiple surgeries. Vakoch returned to racing with Deceuninck Quick Step at the Vuelta a San Juan at the start of the 2019 season and moved to Alpecin Phoenix at the start of 2020.

"After the injuries I sustained in an accident in January 2018 when I was hit by a truck during a training camp in South Africa, my goal was not only to fully recover but also to compete in the Tour de France again," Vakocic said in a Facebook post. 'I was lucky enough to have the chance to fully recover. To be able to return to the highest level of professional cycling is the biggest victory for me."

He competed in his first Grand Tour since his injury in 2021, winning two stages in the Tour de France and supporting Mathieu Van der Pol, who wore the maillot jaune for six days.

"It was very emotional for me to ride this year's Tour de France," he said. 'And what a Tour it was! I never imagined I would be part of the yellow dream, and I enjoyed every minute of it. But in the weeks that followed, I realized that the last three and a half years had been very taxing and my body needed a break. My heart still wants to continue racing, but inside I feel a deep contentment and a desire to focus on different areas of my life and new challenges."

The 2016 Brabantspaille winner, who has seven career wins, stepped into World Tour racing in 2014 with Omega Pharma-Quick Step, winning his first neopro year on stage 2 of the Tour de Pollogne.

"It was a great ride," he said. When I was a kid I dreamed of being a pro rider. I was surrounded by really great people and made friendships that will last a lifetime. Not only did I get to ride bikes for a living, but I also got to be a part of two of the most successful teams in the sport. I got to experience both, winning big races myself and helping my team win dozens of times."

Although his professional racing career may come to an end after Wednesday's Giro del Veneto, Vakochu said he plans to continue riding "a lot," perhaps even off-road, continue studying psychology at university, and even start a nutrition consultancy business.