Robbie McEwen moved from Silence-Lotto to Katusha this year with high ambitions, but ended the year with few results, a bad bike crash and a non-serious car accident.
McEwen posted via twitter that 2009 turned out pretty average. "Just had a small car accident, hit from behind. Two serves of whiplash and a smashed bumper. Bring on 2010!"
McEwen was looking forward to his return to Australia today and recharge his batteries.
The year started great for the Australian, with a win at the Tour Down Under Classic in January. But only two more wins, the Trofeo Cala Millor and the third stage of the Tour de Picardie followed.
McEwen then crashed heavily in the second stage of the Tour of Belgium, damaging his left knee, tearing ligaments and tendons. After surgery and along rehab, McEwen raced again in the post Tour crit in Aalst/Belgium, where he finished second. His screws were removed in late August, but he had another surgery - on his patela tendon - in mid-September