Rabobank’s Theo Bos is recovering from surgery after a successful operation. Last week it emerged that the sprinter was suffering from a pinched iliac artery in the left side of his groin and was to go under the knife.
According to a post on his Twitter page, Bos said doctors told him the surgery was a success and he’ll now have a six week period to recover ahead of next season.
At the start of the year, the Dutchman was complaining about the pain but endured this season riding through it.
“Back in January I felt that I had trouble with strength in my left leg. We have tried all kinds of ways to fix it,” he told Nusport.
“But the complaints remained, especially when I cycled with a high heart rate and if there was a lot of blood pumped to the vein. In a mass sprint I just felt pain and recovery was long. You can actually say that I have been cycling with half a leg." Other riders have also had the condition in the past and made a successful return, including Australian hardman Stuart O'Grady.
Despite the discomfort this year, Bos started the season strong with two victories in the Tour of Oman. He followed that up later with a stage in the Tour of Denmark and winning the Dutch Food Valley Classic.
Bos has cast doubt on his Olympic velodrome participation next year due to the rehabilitation needed after surgery and the fact that this will prevent him riding the track races he needs for qualification. It would appear the multiple world champion on the boards might focus all his attention on the road with the Giro d’Italia a major objective.
“The Giro is still the main goal for 2012. I have plenty of time to be good by then. I hope for a good year. Last year was not bad, I won races but I'd like some big races. A victory in a major race is still missing even though I was better than in 2010."