Inspirational Giro d’Italia stage winner - Victor Campenaerts - withdraws due to injury
Canazei, Italy, 26 May 2021 - Victor Campenaerts, the winner of stage 15 of the Giro d’Italia, has been forced to withdraw from the race due to a leg injury. The Team Qhubeka ASSOS rider experienced pain in his right knee during the cold and wet conditions on stage 16 but managed to finish in Cortina d’Ampezzo.
Following extensive treatment to a tendon problem on Monday evening and then subsequently on Tuesday’s rest day, it was decided by the team’s medical staff that he should withdraw to reduce risk of further aggravating the injury.
Campenaerts leaves the race having put in consistently impressive performances for the team culminating with his victory in Gorizia, Team Qhubeka ASSOS’ third win of the 104th Giro d’Italia.
Victor Campenaerts
I’m really disappointed to be leaving the Giro d’Italia, particularly after winning my first ever stage – it was an incredible moment for myself and the team.
The pain first surfaced in the cold conditions on Monday and unfortunately hasn’t responded well to treatment. Having to stop is absolutely not what I want to be doing but ultimately it is the right decision.
At last year’s race I finished in a very strong fashion, twice placing second in the last three days of the Giro and I continued to feel this year that I was growing stronger and stronger.
It was very emotional saying goodbye to the team; we have had the most unbelievable Giro d’Italia winning three stages, so far. There is the most incredible team spirit in the group, celebrating our successes as a rider and staff group together but ultimately knowing that what we are doing is for a greater purpose in continuing to show the world that bicycles change lives.
I’ll be watching and cheering like a crazy fan now and know that the belief in this team means that anything could happen.
Ubuntu – I am because we are
-ENDS-
For further enquiries: Jean Smyth (Head of Communications)
Email: jean@ryder.co.za
Mobile: +27 63 4701 1710 or +31 625 739 033
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