A very bad news arrived to me this morning: Frank Vandenbroucke has died while he was on holiday in Senegal.Reports in Belgium have said that 34-year-old Belgian cyclist was found in his hotel room and early reports indicate that he died of a blood clot.Vandenbroucke was out of contract after leaving Cinelli-Down Under but was looking for a team in 2010 just a few weeks ago.
"I'm satisfied with this year," he told reporters last week."I understand that the teams are reluctant to give me another chance,because I carry this past with me.But I think I proved this year that even without a monthly salary,I am still able to live a 100 percent for pro cycling."
Frank had a very brillant,even if short,career.He won the Liege-Bastogne-Liege in 1999 and in the same year he won also 2 stages at the Vuelta.In 1998 instead he won a Gand-Wevegelm.These were probably his most important victories.Vandenbroucke also came in 7th at the Verona Worlds in 1999 although he had 2 broken wrists.He was a champion,but a fragile person,just like Marco Pantani or "El Chaba" Jimenez.Great champions, but fragile people.
Right now there are lots of articles about Frank's death on http://www.cyclingnews.com/ ,on http://www.gazzetta.it/Ciclismo/ and on every other cycling website.
I'd like to offer my condolences to Frank's family,friends and supporters.May he rest in peace.
PS: there's a news about Jonathan Bellis on this link:http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/bellis-out-of-coma-still-in-serious-condition .He's out of coma but still in serious condition.My fingers are crossed for him.
