Leif Hoste has a “50-50” chance to ride the 2013 season
Leif Hoste was last seen in his prime form at the Three Days of De Panne 2012 earlier in March where he crashed during the 194 kilometre opening stage of the race.
His chances to get back on his bike in the 2013 season are not very promising as noted by the cyclist himself during an interview with Nieuwsblad.be.
"I'm in therapy and if that does not work, we go to a specialist in Leuven," Hoste explained. "Currently I have no idea when I can have clarity and that makes it so difficult".
"I realize that the teams no longer queue up, but there is interest, including a very nice team. But I do not want to talk until my back problems are solved".
The 35-year-old had big plans ahead of him and was riding the four-day race to warm up for some of the major goals of his 2012 season including the Tour of Flanders.
"Leif suffered from a really bad fall," said Bart Leysen, Team Katusha's sport director briefed after his crash.
"He won't be able to finish the competition. Now he's at the hospital for more examinations, and especially suturing the bad wound over his eye".
The 35-year-old marked his professional debut with Team Vlaanderen in 1998 and switched to Team Mapei-Quick (1999-2000) Step after spending a period of one-year with the team.
He also represented Team Domo-Farm Frites (2001-02), Team Lotto-Domo (2003-04), Team Discover Channel (2005-06), Team Predictor-Lotto (2007-10) and Team Katusha (2011).
The Belgian accepted an offer from Team Accent.jobs-Willems Veranda’s to continue his 2012 season but has been off his bike for most of the season since the injury.
Hoste has proved himself as a classics specialist and a time trialist throughout his career and has won the Belgian National Time Trial Championships on three occasions (2001, 2006 and 2007).
Leif’s has not managed to register a single victory in the current season and his only commendable performance previously was a seventh place finish at the Dwars Door Vlaanderen 2011.
His current performance and physical health conditions has definitely raised a lot of questions as to whether he will be able ride professionally again in 2013 or not.
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