Niki Terpstra replaces Lars Boom for the 2012 Olympic Games
Niki Terpstra was all set to represent the Dutch team for the biggest sporting event of the season, the 2012 Olympic Games.
The cyclist opted out of the Tour de France and was sent to ride the Tour of Poland along with his team-mate Tom Boonen.
Both the cyclists crashed during a slippery descent at the race which badly injured Niki and he had to abandon the race whereas Tom Boonen was not badly injured.
While commenting on the accident, Niki briefed in a press conference, "It was in a corner it was raining and slippery".
"They crashed in front of us. I tried to brake but I went straight. I jumped on the bike again but after five minutes I had to stop. There was too much pain. I'm really sad".
The 28-year-old started his professional hunt with Team Bert Story-Piels in 2003 and spent a period of two years with the side.
He spent a year each with Team AXA (2005) and Ubbink-Syntec (2006) before signing a four year deal with Team Milram (2007).
Niki signed a one year deal with Team Quick Step in 2011 and is continuing his second consecutive season with the time.
He finished first at the National Road Race Championships and also secured the first overall position at the Dwars door Vlaanderen.
Terpstra finished fifth during the Paris-Roubaix and occupied the sixth overall spot at the Tour of Flanders.
Leo Van Vliet is the Dutch Cycling Federation coach and he cited, “Niki, after his fall in Poland, was too bothered by his injury in the time trial position”.
“Despite a customized programme, which was drawn up after his crash, he has not a good preparation for the time trial bike. Boom is a good substitute. Last month the two men showed similar performances in the time trials”.
Boom proved his tremendous form with a first place finish at the National Cyclo-Cross Championships along with a stage three victory at the ZLM Toer.
He finished second during the Dutch National Road Race Championships and also occupied the second position during the Dutch National time-trial championships.
It will be interesting to see, how Boom fills in the Dutch side for the 2012 Olympic Games.
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