Injury Scares Rik Verbrugghe of Cofidis Prompt Retirement
CHAUDFONTAINE, Belgium, Sept 17, 2008 (AFP) - Veteran Belgium cyclist Rik
Verbrugghe, who rides for Cofidis, announced Wednesday he will retire after
next month’s Tour of Lombardy.
Verbrugghe said he had found it difficult to bounce back from a dramatic
crash in the 2006 Tour de France, when he broke his leg after careering down a
ravine.
“I went through a dark period back then, a difficult reassessment. And even
though I returned to the top level, after this incident I started to think of
ending my career,” the 34-year-old said Wednesday.
Verbrugghe fell in last month’s San Sebastian Classic, breaking his
collarbone.
In 13 years with the peloton he has won three stages in the Giro d’Italia
(2001, 2002, 2006), one in the Tour de France (2001), the Tour of Romandie
(2002) and the Fleche Wallonne (2001). He is a former Belgian time-trial
champion (2000).
The Belgian’s former teams include Lotto and QuickStep.
The Tour of Lomardy is due to finish on October 18.
Photo by: CorVos Pro
Categories: News, Road Rash
Tags:
Leave a Reply