Cyclo-crossers lick their wounds

As European cyclo-crossers were granted a one day-long break since six continuous days of racing, some of them were taking the time to heal their wounds from recent accidents on December 30. Bart Wellens, who crashed at the Superprestige round six in Diegem on December 24, is still suffering from a sore back, which even prevents him from training properly. The Fidea rider had to go to hospital three times these last few days for further treatments. Nevertheless, he hopes to be at a race at the eighth World Cup race in Belgian Hooglede-Gits today, as well as at the next round of the GVA Trofee in Baal on Sunday, January 1, 2006.

Bad luck also for Jonathan Page: Racing strongly in Middelkerke on December 29, the American rider achieved a great third placing with a rusty piece of metal in the sole of his shoe, which caused a wound in his foot. As the pain worsened in the evening, Page had to go to hospital in Oudenaarde where he was treated, but he will not be able to prove his good form in the next few days as he is reported as not being able to even stand on his foot.