"Amy Pieters' condition has evolved. She is now conscious. This means she can communicate slightly, non-verbally. Amy recognizes people, understands what is being said and is able to perform more and more tasks," the team said.

"Doctors cannot yet say what residual sequelae and remaining abilities Amy Pieters will have as a result of the brain injury," the statement continued.

The 30-year-old cyclist fell at the end of December during a training camp in Calpe, near Alicante in Spain.

She lost consciousness and suffered severe brain damage.

After a first operation in Alicante hospital, she remained in a coma for a long time before being transported on January 6 to a hospital in the Netherlands.

Since mid-February, she has been following a neurological rehabilitation program in a specialized institution.

A track specialist, Pieters was notably the American racing world champion three times (2019, 2020, 2021) with her compatriot Kirsten Wild and European road champion in 2019.

© 2022 AFP