By Gregor Brown Italy's Team Cinelli-OPD confirmed the signing of Franck Vandenbroucke yesterday....
In an up-and-down career, Frank Vandenbroucke is smiling again and racing for Cinelli in 2009 (Image credit: Bettini Photo)
By Gregor Brown
Italy's Team Cinelli-OPD confirmed the signing of Franck Vandenbroucke yesterday. The talented Belgian, who Team Mitsubishi-Jartazi released midway through 2008, will make his debut February in South America.
"I have known him for many years, I raced alongside him. He is a great name and can help promote the team and the brand name Cinelli on an international level. ... We are more concerned with him as a person than as a cyclist; of course, any results will be welcome," said Cinelli-OPD General Manager, Simone Biasci, to Cyclingnews.
Vandenbroucke was one of Belgium's brightest stars after he debuted with team Lotto in 1994. His principle victories include Gent-Wevelgem and Paris-Nice in 1998, Omloop Het Volk and Liège-Bastogne-Liège in 1999. In recent years he faced drug-related problems and attempted suicide.
Team Cinelli is a Continental team, or third division, that races mostly in Italy. The races it will attend will not be as high-ranked as Team Mitsubishi-Jartazi, a Professional Continental team.
"After we were with him for about 10 days in Belgium, we saw that he has a great desire to return to racing. ... He will make his start in South America, maybe at the Vuelta a Cuba. At the end of February, I think he will be racing in Belgium, but we are still developing the programme."
Team Cinelli will announce another rider in the coming days; he could be Jörg Jaksche or Jimmy Casper. "We will have another big name to ride alongside Frank."
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
