Vandenbroucke rests - Wallonie possible

Belgian Franck Vandenbroucke, who tried to take his life two weeks ago in Vermezzo (Milano), has spent the last few days with family members in Brugge. According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, he is visiting the clinic of Doctor Sophie Mulaert and he will soon return to his parents, Jean-Jacques and Chantal, in Ploegsteert.

"We hear from each other on the telephone everyday," explained Palmiro Masciarelli, Team Manager of Acqua & Sapone. "Frank is also in contact with my sons, my nephew and his Italian friend, Mario."

Masciarelli reached out to Vandenbroucke last fall when he signed the 29 year-old and even had him come and live with his family in Abruzzo (Italy). His nephew was the first to find Vandenbroucke after he had tried to take his life, June 6.

"I have the feeling that there is a weight on his back. ... As soon as possible I will send him a fixed gear bike and some road equipment, and I will not rule out going there myself within the next fifteen days. There is the Tour de Wallonie [July 28 - August 1] and it is hypothetically a race in which he could return, but it is certain that he has not yet given up and wants to return. Also because he wants to silence all the people who thought he was finished as a racer."