Cycling: Run of injuries ends French job

Tim Gudsell. Photo / APN

Kiwi cyclist Tim Gudsell's professional career is in limbo since the Francaise Des Jeux team declined to renew his contract after a disastrous run of injuries.

Gudsell rode for the French lottery sponsors since turning professional in 2007. He competed in three Grand Tour events.

But in the past two seasons, he has had trouble with his sciatic nerve, smashed both collarbones and broken his wrist and elbow.

The two-time Olympian has vowed to continue but says he came close to retiring, aged just 26.

"I've considered giving up because my body has taken so many hits. That was the team's excuse for cutting me because too many breaks won't be good later in life - that was their way of delivering the Dear John speech. I was a bit annoyed because when I was racing, I was competitive. But it's their business; it's professional sport and why would you hire a broken racehorse?

"I'm fortunate to have spent years in France as an amateur paving my way and I've raced every big race except the Tour de France. My best year was 2008, when I got in around 100 days of racing."

Gudsell has written an entertaining - and sometimes painful - blog about his experiences.

One of the most recent entries talks about his "cheese grated ass" being stuck to the hotel bed sheets and his broken collarbone "throbbing with each heartbeat" as he struggled to sleep despite knocking back a beer and a sleeping tablet.

That was following his most recent crash, 100km into stage one on the Tour of Poland in August.

"There is no way of avoiding crashes. Even Lance Armstrong did it three times this year on the Tour de France because he wasn't the protected man of the past. "

Gudsell raced the Maungatautari Classic just south of Lake Karapiro last weekend and has not ruled out trying to join the New Zealand-owned Pure Black Racing.

"My plans are unknown. I have been speaking with some European pro teams but my chances are slim."

Gudsell ruled out going back to the track for the London Olympics.