Vuelta a Espana too hard to digest for Team Lotto Belisol riders
Team Lotto Belisol has lost three of its cyclists at the Vuelta a Espana because of a viral infection over the weekend.
The three riders include Jens Debusschere, Olivier Kaisen and Jurgen Van Den Broeck, all abandoned the race after suffering from diarrhea as noted by the team’s doctor.
Bohdan Wasj cited that Jens is in distress since four days and being a doctor, it is his responsibility to take care of the health of his riders.
"I'm responsible for the health of the riders and even if Jens wanted to try and continue, as a doctor I had to intervene,” he noted. “Of course, he's disappointed, but as a team doctor it is also my task to protect the riders, especially the younger ones, which I thought was necessary in this case".
Van Den Broeck, who is already tired from the Tour de France fatigue, found it very difficult to continue and quit after losing time during the stage 13 of the race.
The cyclist has decided to throw in the towel not only at the Vuelta a Espana but has also decided to end his season.
"I don't want to jeopardize my winter build-up by continuing to race now. I've been busy since the Tour of Algarve mid-February".
The Belgian dropped 54 minutes and 12 seconds behind the race leader and was holding the 84th position after the stage 13 overall classifications.
"My stomach hurts and I feel no energy whatsoever, a consequence of the virus that is going round in our team," he told Het Nieuwsblad. "I just couldn't continue".
Team Lotto-Belisol had a slow start to its 2012 campaign but has picked up pace in the second half of the season.
It currently holds the eighth overall position after the UCI World Tour teams’ rankings with a total number of 622 points to its credit.
Jurgen Van Den Broeck (237 points), Andre Greipel (162 points), Jelle Vanendert (104 points), Gianni Meersman (63 points) and Jurgen Roelandts (38 points) helped the team with their strong performances throughout the season.
The Belgian team currently holds the 17th overall position after the Vuelta a Espana stage 16 classifications with Bart De Clercq holding the 14th overall position as the team’s top man.
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