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Suicidal Belgian cyclist vows to return to the sport

Tormented Belgian cyclist Frank Vandenbroucke, who is recovering in a Milan hospital after a suicide attempt last week, has vowed to return to cycling.

According to the Italian media, the 32-year-old, who had suffered with depression for several years, slashed his wrists.

A request from his wife Sarah — with whom he has a five-year-old daughter — for a divorce is understood to have triggered Vandenbroucke's attempt to end his life.

Vandenbroucke made his professional debut in 1994 and recorded 51 victories, including the 1999 Liege-Bastogne-Liege classic, his career highlight.

Asked why he tried to commit suicide, Vandenbroucke, who lives in Italy, told Italian television channel La7: "I did it out of desperation.

"My family are everything to me. I want to get back in the saddle as quickly as possible and show them, and everybody else, that I am a good person.

"I will come back, because at the end of the day, there's life and there's hope.

"Cycling is and always will be my reason for living, and I will quickly put things right.

"I want to be cured and start training again, and reach a level that is in line with my ability," he said.

ABUSIVE

On Saturday Sarah refuted claims that she was responsible for his decline into depression, saying that living with Vandenbroucke was hell and that he beat her up and used drugs regularly.

Vandenbrouke responded by insisting her comments were made in anger.

"She is an exceptional person and she only made those comments because she too was living a moment of desperation," he said.

"It's difficult to seperate, and it's true that there was a lot of acrimony.

"I must prove to her that I am not the person she said I was," he said.

INJURY

Vandenbroucke did not start this year's Tour of Italy after failing to recover quickly enough from a knee operation, and his lack of competition is believed to have accentuated his depression.

In 2002, Vandenbroucke was twice stopped by police and discovered to be under the influence of alcohol at the wheel of a car. In another incident that year, a police search at his home uncovered a large quantity of doping substances.

In 2003, when he rode for the Quick Step team, Vandenbroucke appeared on the way back after a second place finish in the prestigious Tour of Flanders classic.

However, despite a promising start to the 2004 season, hopes of a sustained comeback were cut short and he sunk further into depression.
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