Koretzky Undergoes Second Surgery for Humerus
French cyclist Victor Koretzky has had a second operation after his humerus failed to heal properly following an April break.
Updated on Nov. 5, 2026 in Cycling
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Victor Koretzky underwent a second surgery for a humeral nonunion after breaking his humerus in April 2026, which caused him to miss the 2026 World Cup season. The only race he started this year was the Val di Sole XCC World Championships, where he finished 34th.
Why it matters
The procedure removed the hardware installed in April and used a bone graft from the iliac crest with a new plate, a repair aimed at restoring the cyclist's arm strength. Koretzky hopes it will let him return to winning form in 2027 ahead of the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
Koretzky's only 2026 start produced a 34th-place finish at Val di Sole, a sharp drop from his third-place XCO result in 2024 and second-place result in 2025. How quickly his arm strength returns after the bone graft remains unknown.
The players
Victor Koretzky
A French cyclist, aged 32, who has competed at three Olympics and won the XCO silver medal at the Paris Games.
The details
Koretzky's humerus never properly healed after the April break, prompting surgeons to remove the April hardware and take a bone graft from his iliac crest. A new plate was placed directly on the humerus during the operation.
Timeline
April 2026: Koretzky broke his humerus and hardware was installed.
June 2026: Koretzky said he was back on the bike.
July 2026: Koretzky hoped to return for World Cups.
2026 Val di Sole XCC World Championships: Koretzky finished 34th in his only race of the season.
2027: Koretzky hopes to return to winning form.
Roadmap
Koretzky's extended recovery mirrors the prolonged bone-healing timeline Kurt Sorge endured after a comparable break, which took about 11 months. The return to elite cross-country competition for Koretzky will hinge on whether the second surgery produces a lasting repair before the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
Koretzky's absence removes a podium threat from the 2027 World Cup field and leaves his Olympic qualification path uncertain. Fantasy and betting markets tracking elite cross-country riders will need to account for a possible late return.
The takeaway
A serious bone injury can sideline an elite rider for a full season, and recovery timelines are often longer than initially expected. Koretzky's case shows that a failed healing process may require a second operation and a longer road back.
What happens next
Koretzky hopes to return to competition in 2027, ahead of the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
Further reading
Follow more Cycling coverage for context on the sport's top riders and race calendars.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Pinkbike.
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