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Voigt vows Tour comeback

Published: Nov. 6, 2009
Voigt made his return to racing at this year's Tour of Missouri.
Voigt made his return to racing at this year's Tour of Missouri.
Photo: Casey B. Gibson

It was a crash that could have ended a career for many riders, but not for Jens Voigt.

The popular German suffered one of the season’s worst spills when he landed hard on his face while descending the Petit-Saint-Bernard climb in stage 16 at the Tour de France. Despite the high impact, Voigt has been able to make a full recovery and is already plotting his 2010 season goals.

That includes making a run at a sixth victory at Criterium International as well as a return to the Tour with Saxo Bank.

“My definite goal is to be selected for the Tour lineup in 2010, where I hope and believe that I am back in peak shape. I do not want to end my Tour de France participation with a crash,” Voigt said in an interview on the team’s web page. “It was great winning the Criterium International for the fifth time (in 2009). Only the French legend Raymond Poulidor has done the same and I will certainly go for the sixth victory in 2010.”

On the Petit-Saint-Bernard. It could have been worse ... much, much worse.
On the Petit-Saint-Bernard. It could have been worse ... much, much worse.
Photo: Graham Watson

That attitude is just what everyone has come to expect from the irrepressible Voigt, whose positive energy and daring attacking style has endeared him to fans and teammates throughout his career.

A fractured right cheek bone and a concussion sidelined Voigt for six weeks.

Voigt, 38, made his comeback this summer at the Tour of Missouri and rode to 31st in the Japan Cup in October to close out his season.

Reflecting on his horrific spill, Voigt said with typical aplomb that he is trying to take something positive out of the otherwise potentially catastrophic experience.

“The crash on the descent during the Tour was ugly in many ways and most active athletes know that a six week break in the mid-season can make you crazy and restless inside. But the incident had a more profound influence on me,” he said. “With all the alternative impacts the crash could have provided in mind, I have been grateful for even being able to recognize my wife and children, to be able to walk and to live a life without permanent injuries.

"That is the most important issue for me and my family. Everyday life functions again and I enjoy the off-season and being at home where my kids have made endless lists of activities for us to do before the races begin again.”

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