January 27/10 18:55 pm - Olympic MTB Champion Undergoes Surgery

Posted by Editor on 01/27/10
 

Sabine Spitz, the 2008 women's Olympic cross-country champion will likely miss the early part of the World Cup season after undergoing an operation in the area of the groin.  After the first operation, there were more issues which made another operation necessary.  The middle of February will now be the earliest time at which she will be able to start training again.

"It was not an easy decision, but for continuing my career there was no alternative," Sabine explained. "it was a massive cut for me after 16 years of competing on a high level. But I still have such a lot fun mountain biking, and I'm full of motivation for the upcoming years."

"I will miss nearly three months of preparation for the season starting in April . I'm in doubt that I will be on the start line at the first two World Cup races.  It depends on how the things will develop and how fast I'm able to make my recovery. This a completely new situation for me."

"My main goal is to become completely healthy.  We will see what is possible in the second half of the year. Especially, I think of the Marathon Worlds as well as the XC Worlds."

Spitz also struggled in the early part of last season with unrelated health problems.

Report with assistance from Erhard Goller