Set back for Albert

Young Belgian 'cross champion Niels Albert didn't enjoy the best build-up to the cyclo-cross season, suffering two setbacks this summer which will leave him chasing after his early season 'cross form. On July 5 he crashed against a post during a road race in Melle - his collarbone was shattered by the blow and he had a 1.5cm deep head wound. The post was even worse off - there was only 10cm left it's original one metre height!

While Niels Albert (Palmans) was crashing against posts, his rival Lars Boom (Rabobank Continental Team) won the Dutch national TT championships. Despite the success on the road, the espoir world champion decided in August that he would focus more than ever on cyclo-cross. "I decided to fully focus on cyclo-cross during the next couple of seasons, mainly because cycling on the road has a much bigger impact on your body.

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