Former French road race and time trial champion Nicolas Vogondy is facing some disruption to his season preparations, with a crash while out training setting him back somewhat. The Cofidis rider hit the deck and broke a rib; while the injury is not as serious as it might have been, it has put him off the bike briefly and interfered with his ability to ride during his team training camp.
“I fell in training,” he told la France Cycliste. “I haven’t trained yet during this camp, but I came to join my team-mates anyway. I will rest another few days and I hope to slowly return [to training] next week.”
Vogondy won the French road race title in 2002 and again in 2008, then took the time trial title in 2010. The 34 year old also won a stage and placed sixth overall in the Critérium du Dauphiné there.
The 2011 season was a little quieter, with sixth in the Tour du Finistère and the Circuit de la Sarthe, plus fourth in the Route Adélie de Vitré being the highest points.
He’ll hope for more in 2012; fortunately the injury he has suffered shouldn’t have too serious an effect on his early-season racing.