World time trial champion Fabian Cancellara may have just ridden his last race for the Saxo Bank team following a controversial exit from the Vuelta a España. It isn't what he said after his abandonment 20 kilometers into yesterday's stage, it's what he didn't say. He hopped off his bike and headed home to Switzerland without giving an explanation to the team.
"Fabian Cancellara is a great cyclist and he has won many races. He is a great champion, but his behavior was far from that of a champion today," Saxo Bank sports director Bradley McGee told TV2 after yesterday's stage.
The team had said Canellara could leave the race early so he could prepare from the world championships, but the agreement was to first help Frank Schleck through the day's stage.
"He had other thoughts," McGee said. "He had taken a decision that I couldn't do anything about. I couldn't push him up on the bike again."
Apparently the Swiss rider won't pick up his phone to take a call from team management, which doesn't bode well for the chances of Cancellara finishing out his contract with Saxo Bank. His obligation to the team is through the 2011 season, but his name has been linked to BMC Racing and the new Luxembourg team built around Andy and Frank Schleck. Whether his action yesterday also reflects an issue with the latter is uncertain, but the situation yesterday is something his current team doesn't plan to let go.
"I want an explanation from Fabian, and I think he owes an explanation to his teammates that he has left here without even saying goodbye," added a disappointed McGee.
In the past Cancellara hasn't focused on the fall Classics in favor of riding for his country at the world championships. He has secured three victories in the time trial thus far, and has said he wants to take home the road title as well. That means that this year's Vuelta could represent an unfortunate end to his five successful years with Bjarne Riis' team, but likely confirms his participation in Geelong.