His first game as a masseur for Les Mauves was last week’s clasico. From his debut, Kenny Dehaes received Colin Coosemans and Joshua Zirkzee on his table. The one who obtained 14 victories in the pro peloton and wore the colors of Silence-Lotto or Wanty-Groupe Gobert has swapped the microcosm of cycling to join that of the round ball.
Active as a healer at Alpecin-Fenix for the past two years, Dehaes joined the Sporting structure this winter. His previous role, during which he notably treated Mathieu van der Poel, Jasper Philipsen or Tim Merlier, forced him to many days away from home and his family. “Last year I did two big tours and I didn’t sleep at home for more than 200 days in total”, he revealed to the Nieuwsblad.
Luckily, last fall, he came across a job offer from the RSCA which makes it easier for him to combine his job and his role as a father. After asking some advice from Franky De Buyst, who is also a masseur in Anderlecht and the father of runner Jasper (one of his former teammates), Dehaes was convinced. His role is now to assist the four RSCA physiotherapists, whether before or after the meetings. “Massages in football are shorter, but more intense”, he detailed. “The players have more power. They push hard while the runners only go flat out in the last five hours of racing.”
