Thibault Benistant injury update: Still no feeling in his legs

Two and a half months after his serious accident in Lacapelle Marival, Thibault Benistant has now been in touch from his rehabilitation centre. Fears are mounting that he will remain paraplegic. With spinal cord injuries, there is hope in the first few days and weeks that neurological functions will recover, at least partially, as the swelling and inflammatory reactions subside. It is not possible to predict reliably to what extent function will return. At the same time, those affected face the difficult process of coming to terms with and accepting their new circumstances. It often takes weeks or months for them to learn to cope with their changed reality. Thibault Benistant is currently going through this phase.

Official statement from Road2Recovery

‘News like this takes time to take in,’ says the statement from the Road2Recovery Foundation, which has launched a campaign to support the 24-year-old. ‘Every injured athlete deserves to tell their own story in their own words when they are ready, and this is what we can say at present: Every day in rehab, Thibault faces the same physical, mental and emotional battle as he did in every one of his races. It will be a long road. There are good days and tough days, and no fixed timetable. Anyone who knows Thibault is aware of his determination and fighting spirit.”

60,000 raised in donations so far

To date (13 August 2026), just under $60,000 has been donated by around 600 individual donors. The target is $200,000. “We want to help cover the costs of his rehabilitation, medical care, equipment and any unexpected expenses,” explains the foundation. “Every contribution, no matter how small, goes directly to him.” Click here to go straight to the donation page.

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