Just seven weeks ago the pro cycling world watched in horror as German Jens Voigt of team Saxo Bank smashed face first into the pavement on a high speed mountain descent of the Tour de France.
His motionless body laying on the tarmac struck fear into cycling fans, as they wondered whether one of the peloton’s “nice guys” would be back.
Not one to let a smashed cheekbone and broken jaw keep him down, his Saxo Bank team has announced that Voigt will ride at next month’s Tour of Missouri.
“It is not like the Tour,” said Voigt, who wants to ease his way back into the peloton.
“In America, the roads are very wide and there is much more space to ride.”
The 37-year-old said the race will offer him a good opportunity to get his rhythm and confidence back.
The Tour of Missouri takes place from September 7-13.