“It’s a really bad way to end the season — and it was already pretty much ruined,” he admitted. “Mentally, it’s been very tough having two big crashes within six months.”
Surgery in Salzburg and long road to recovery
After the Guangxi crash, Wandahl received stitches in China before flying to Salzburg, where he underwent surgery to repair his jaw. “They kept me under observation for two days before flying me home,” he explained. “I’ve also damaged a vertebra, but hopefully that will heal on its own over time.”
Despite the injuries, Wandahl remains grateful for the support of his Red Bull – BORA – hansgrohe teammates and staff, who have guided him through both recoveries. “I’ve had a lot of backing and support from the team — ever since the first crash and all the way until now,” he said. “They’ve really helped me a lot. Honestly, I don’t think I could have got through everything without them.”
Looking ahead to 2026
With his season officially over, Wandahl will take the rest of the year to recover before turning his attention to 2026 — when he hopes to return fully fit and ready to rebuild his promising career.
“Right now, it’s just about getting back on my feet again and returning to everyday life step by step,” he said. “Then we can start looking ahead to 2026.”
Still only 24, Wandahl remains one of Denmark’s most highly rated prospects, having finished second at the national championships in 2021 and third in 2024. Before this year’s setbacks, he also achieved top-five overall finishes at Eschborn-Frankfurt and the Tour de Wallonie — results that underlined his all-round potential.
For now, though, his focus is simply on recovery. “It hasn’t been an easy time,” he admitted. “But I’m staying positive. I just want to come back healthy and ready to race again.”