Four-time World Champion Kenny Belaeyhad an extremely difficult 2012 season. On his home turf at Aalter, during the opener for the World Cup, he took a massive fall, injuring his elbow and wrist (fractured scaphoid). Nonetheless, he got back on the bike and continued to finish in 2nd place. After the competition, he was taken to a hospital, where they performed wrist surgery the following day.
(see Kenny Belaey... « Je crève de douleur ! »). He ended up making it back to the World Cup circuit in August, when he finished second at Anvers. He also competed at the World Championships (third place), but the wrist pain continued. On November 30th, he decided to try another operation that might permit him to reach his full potential. On his facebook page, Kenny wrote Hello from the hospital! The ultimate chance to heal my wrist from my crash in Aalter back in June. It never healed so had to have surgery again. A pity but my only hope to have a longer career... Let the recovery begin! We’re wishing you a full recovery and hope to see you back as soon as possible!