Matti Breschel has finally returned to racing this week in the Tour of Belgium, after two knee surgeries that put a dampener to the first half of the year on his new team. The Dane switched from SaxoBank-Sungard this season, but unlike most of his former teammates who left Bjarne Riis’ team to join the new Leopard Trek team, Breschel opted for Rabobank colours instead.
The 26 year old donned the orange jersey for the first time in February at Portugal’s Volta ao Algarve. However, he dropped out early on stage 3, complaining about pain to his knee that’s been troublesome for the last year.
That pain kept him from riding his much loved Spring campaign. Instead he’s been focused on rehabilitation and returning to the peloton at 100%.
Already in his eighth year as a professional, Breschel knows it would be presumptuous to go to Belgium expecting a result.
"Making a comeback in Belgium is the perfect choice. History, fans, the wretched roads, hills, the wind, here you will find everything that makes the sport so beautiful," Breschel said in an interview with De Telegraaf.
"If I came here expecting a good result, I would just be disappointed. I am simply starting my year at zero. When I started to train a few months ago, I was able to do nothing. Half an hour on the bike and I was finished."
With the Tour De France only six weeks away, Breschel knows it will be a tall order to make the final selection of a team filled with capable riders. However, he will have a huge opportunity to make up for a disappointing season thus far when he gets to represent his country in the World Road Race Champions on home soil.
"To fight for the Rainbow Jersey in my own back yard, it’s something I look forward to."
In the last three years the Dane has yet to finish outside the top ten in the World Road Champs. In 2008 he was third in Varese, seventh in 2009 in Mendrisio while 2010 was his closest chance at victory when he got the silver medal behind Norwegian Thor Hushovd in Geelong, Australia.
Breschel completed yesterday’s third stage in the Tour of Belgium in a lowly position, but knows that riding pain free is the first victory to enjoy right now.
He had this to say on his Twitter account after yesterday’s stage. “Third stage of TdB done. Felt a little better than yesterday, even though a lot of hard work is waiting!”