Zberg to announce retirement

Markus Zberg of BMC Racing Team is announcing his retirement today after 14 years as a pro cyclist. The 35-year-old suffered serious injuries in the Tour de l'Ain earlier this month.

Zberg crashed with 35 km to go in the first stage of the race. He braked but the rider behind him did not, sending Zberg flying over his handlebars to land hard on the road. Zberg came away with a broken pelvis and ribs, which "hurt brutally, especially when I move," he told Blick.ch.

He is also concerned about his spleen, which must be examined again. "I can only hope that it is not torn, because then they would have to remove it."

The 35-year-old now faces four weeks of total rest, instead of praparing to ride the World Championships in Mendrisio, Switzerland, in September.

Zberg turned pro in 1996 and rode with Team Carrera, Mercatone Unto and Post-Swiss-Team for one year each, before joining Rabobank in 1999. He joined his older brother Beat at Team Gerolsteiner in 2003, and came to BMC this year.

He was national road champion in 2000 and 2008. In 1998 he won two stages of the Vuelta a Espana and wore the leader's golden jersey. In 1999 he finished second in the World's road championship.

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