Rabobank classics specialist Nick Nuyens has had a spring full of ups and downs so far this season, and he's now on a down trend again with his participation in the Tour of Flanders this weekend in doubt. Nuyens opened up the Belgian calendar with an impressive performance in Omloop Het Nieuwsblad, but bad luck has prevented him from capitalizing on his good form.
"I have ridden this season from one setback to another," Nuyens told Het Nieuwsblad. "In the Omloop Het Nieuwsblad I was strong, but I had three flat tires on my bike. Then I got sick. In [E3-Prijs] Harelbeke I finally had good legs again, but I went down three times."
Nuyens' run ins with the pavement on Saturday forced him to abandon the race, but he expected to recover in time for Flanders this weekend after his trip to the hospital. The problem, he says, is primarily with his sternum and hip, which he's not sure will allow him to train properly during the lead up to Sunday's big event.
He tried riding on yesterday and said he experienced problems breathing. Now he will have to wait and hope that he can get rolling again by mid-week, so he can put himself back on track and take advantage of his strong Rabobank team.
The Belgian is taking his situation in stride and looking at the positive side: "My only consolation is that it is certainly not the legs."