Vandenbroucke: Focused on the job again

Troubled cyclist Frank Vandenbroucke (Mitsubishi) is hoping to restart his career in time for the Belgian national championships next month. Vandenbroucke went through a difficult personal period in 2007, which led to the rider attempting suicide in early June.

"I am going to dinner on Monday with [Mitsubishi team manager] Patrick Stallaert, where we will decide on a program," Vandenbroucke told Belgian newspaper Het Laatse Nieuws. "Mentally I am ready for competition, but I have chosen to take it easy. I want to first spend some time with my daughter Margaux in Italy.

"In 14 days I will pack my bags in Italy and return to Belgium for a longer period of time and focus on my job again," he added.

The last time the Belgian rode competitively was on February 24 at the Volta ao Algarve in Portugal.

"I still need to loose three or four kilos," he explained. "My program won't be too hard. A few Kermis races and a stage race in preparation for the Belgian championships in Knokke."