Robbie McEwen ends 2009 season early due to leg injury

Robbie McEwen (Katusha) may miss the Tour de France after a recent crash

Robbie McEwen (Katusha) may miss the Tour de France after a recent crash (Image credit: Tom De Meyer)

Australia's Robbie McEwen decided to put an end to his 2009 season and concentrate on a better 2010 season with Team Katusha. He is still recovering from a serious leg injury suffered at the Tour of Belgium.

"No more racing for me this year," he wrote on Twitter. He said that he is "concentrating on full rehab" and hopes to back at 100 percent for the Tour Down Under in January.

McEwen, 37, hit a street sign with his left knee in Tour of Belgium stage two May 28. The crash fractured his shinbone near the knee and sliced through ligaments. He had two screws removed from his knee last week, and he said he "feels free without the screws".

He hoped to defend his 2008 win in the Vattenfall Cyclassics in Hamburg, Germany, August 16, but felt unprepared. He planned to return at the Eneco Tour at the end of August, but he continued to have knee pain.

In addition to the Tour Down Under, McEwen highlighted other 2010 goals. He wants to ride the Giro d'Italia and the Tour de France, and the World Championships in Geelong, Australia.

Follow Cyclingnews on Twitter for the very latest coverage of events taking place in the cycling world - twitter.com/cyclingnewsfeed

Thank you for reading 5 articles in the past 30 days*

Join now for unlimited access

Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1

*Read any 5 articles for free in each 30-day period, this automatically resets

After your trial you will be billed £4.99 $7.99 €5.99 per month, cancel anytime. Or sign up for one year for just £49 $79 €59

Join now for unlimited access

Try your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1