Specialized lululemon rider Ina Yoko Teutenberg has taken the decision to take a break from racing, with she and the team’s medical staff deciding that it would be too risky after suffering a concussion in the recent Acht van Dwingeloo.
The German rider crashed on the March 7th race and seemed badly hurt, hitting her head in the impact. While her injuries have abated somewhat, the team has decided that it is too soon for her to race and that she should take longer before pinning on a number again.
As a result she will miss out on the Energiewacht Tour and the Ronde van Vlaanderen. It is not yet clear when she will return to competition.
Teutenberg is one of the fastest sprinters in the women’s peloton and has clocked up numerous big wins over her pro career. Her successes include stages in the Giro Donne and the Ronde van Vlaanderen, two wins in the Tour of Chongming Island World Cup race, fourth in the Olympic Games road race and victory in last year’s team time trial at the worlds.
The 38 year old considered retirement but decided to return again in 2013. She took her fifth consecutive Merced criterium victory earlier this month.
Teutenberg will concentrate on her recovery now and, together with the team’s medical staff, ensure that she is fully healed before racing again.