Coenen faces surgery for brain tumor

Belgian mountain biker Davy Coenen was scheduled undergo surgery this week for a malignant brain tumor. The surgery was set for February 19, and will be followed by several days in intensive care.

The 28-year-old faces a long rehabilitation, in which he must relearn to keep his balance.

"It is a serious operation, but the surgery doesn't scare me," he told sporza.be. "After the operation, I will fight even harder to reach my goal: the Olympic Games in London 2012."

Coenen rides as an elite without contract. In 2008, he won the GP Roel Paulissen and in 2007, he was third in the Belgian Championships.

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Sue George is an editor at Cyclingnews.  She coordinates all of the site's mountain bike race coverage and assists with the road, 'cross and track coverage.