Sven Vanthourenhout (Rabobank) (Image credit: Tricarico Davide)
Sven Vanthourenhout (Sunweb-Projob), who underwent surgery on a thickened artery in his left leg on July 3, should see a marked improvement in his abilities thanks to increased blood flow to the leg. Doctors estimate that the operation will increase his capacities by at least 25%.
Vanthourenhout raced quite successfully with the ailment, but suffered some mysterious symptoms. "After a crash two years ago I felt a sleeping feeling in my left leg for the first time in the Tour of Slovenia. Apparently a crash one week earlier tilted my pelvis a little. The problem never got solved completely with a chiropractor, and in June I felt it again.
"We decided with the team doctor to make a new thorough examination and the diagnosis of the thicker artery was a relief for me," Vanthourenhout explained on his website. The diagnosis pointed out that Vanthourenhout has been riding at only 75% of his capacities for two years and that was also a relief for team manager Jurgen Mettepenningen. "We're twice as lucky. First of all our team leader gets rid of his physical problem, so we can expect more from him in the field."
