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.

"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."