Thomas Dekker has been forced to end his season prior to riding his intended last race of 2012, tomorrow’s Chrono des Nations. The Dutchman crashed during this week’s Putte-Kappelen event and hurt his coccyx. Despite efforts to help him heal in time, he has had to concede that it would be impossible to do the time trial.
“I cannot participate in the Chrono des Nations, and that's a big disappointment,” he said. “Falling in a race can always happen, but this is a really bad moment. I have done everything in the past few days to be still able to travel to France.
“Despite good treatment, it is impossible for me to ride for more than two minutes in the time trial position, and this is something which is crucial in a time trial of 48 kilometres.”
For many riders, the season ended with today’s Il Lombardia race in Italy. Dekker was due to call an end to his tomorrow. “The Chrono des Nations would have been the final race of my comeback period in 2011. My season has now been forced to end. I hope to have clarity soon about my future.”
Dekker has competed in recent months with Garmin-Cervélo’s development team and some see it as likely that he could get a contract with the team for 2012. He incurred a lengthy suspension due to EPO use, returning this year, but the American squad has said that it might give him a second chance.