Cervélo TestTeam has announced today that Heinrich Haussler will be unable to ride in the classics this spring due to problems with his knee. The 26 year old had an impressive string of results last year at this time, including second place finishes in both Milan–San Remo and the Ronde van Vlaanderen. Going into the season he was amongst the favorites to secure a big victory in 2010. Haussler has now been forced to focus fully on recovering from the knee problems that have plagued him since his crashes in the Volta ao Algarve and Paris-Nice.
“Heinrich has an injury of the quadriceps tendon and is currently receiving intensive medical treatments, mainly physiotherapy,” said Thomas Klimaschka, Cervélo TestTeam doctor. “The focus is on his health. Heinrich needs some more time to recover 100%; therefore, he will not be at the start of the 2010 spring classics.”
Haussler had gotten off to a solid start this year at the Tour of Qatar by finishing second in two stages, and then showed signs of the same sort of form he had in 2009 when he finished second behind Juan Antonio Flecha in the Belgian opener Omloop Het Nieuwsblad.
“I’m really disappointed that I haven’t been able to fully recover yet and have to skip my favorite spring classics. I love the cobbled races, but my health is the priority,” said Haussler. “The spring classics were supposed to be my first goals in the 2010 cycling season. Now my focus on the sporting side will turn to the 2010 Tour de France, where I would like to be in top shape."
The Cervélo TestTeam also had more bad news to share, confirming that 34-year-old Andreas Klier will also have to skip the upcoming spring classics. Last year Klier rode to 5th place in Gent-Wevelgem, a race he won in 2003, and finished a solid 12th in Paris-Roubaix. The classics specialist has also historically performed well in the Tour of Flanders, with a career best 2nd place finish in 2005. Klier was involved in a crash during E3 Prijs this past weekend, and the resulting concussion has sidelined the German.
“We checked Andreas and treated him after the accident. He will be able to leave our team base Hotel Lepelbed as soon as possible and will go home to rest and recover completely,” said Klimaschka.
After the decision was made, Klier stated: “The spring classics are my favorite races. I have had my best results there, but this year the Ronde van Vlaanderen and Paris-Roubaix will take place without me. I’m certainly a bit disappointed, but my health is the focus and I will now concentrate on my other goals.”
The team said that both riders will return to racing as soon as they have fully recovered and are completely fit for their new objectives this season. The team will now look to the British duo of Roger Hammond and Jeremy Hunt to provide support for team leader Thor Hushovd.