German ProTour Team loses Artur Gajek and Martin Velits

Published by: danny at 2008-05-05

No sooner had captain Erik Zabel and Ralf Grabsch returned to service for Team MILRAM after knee injuries, then team manager Gerry van Gerwen was faced with two new injured riders.  The German ProTour team's latest additions to the sick bay were the young riders Artur Gajek and Martin Velits.
A painful bruise on his buttocks is keeping Artur Gajek from riding and forcing him to a ten-day training break, but Slovakian rider Martin Velits has been harder hit.  The twin brother of U23 World Champion Peter Velits has been diagnosed with a break in his right wrist, which requires surgery.
„Martin will be operated on in Slovakia as soon as possible.  We won't be able to count on him again until the end of August,“ said a frustrated Gerry van Gerwen.  „It's not that bad for Gajek.  He ought to be able to race again the end of May.“
Both MILRAM youngsters are suffering from injuries suffered in races.  Gajek hit the hard pavement in Istanbul during the Tour of Turkey's opening prologue.  His teammate Velits crashed onto his right hand during the Ronde van Vlaanderen.   After riding a number of races with pain, x-rays provided the final diagnosis for the 23 year-old.
„It is like we are hexed,“ said the 55 year-old van Gerwen.  „Our string of injuries just keeps getting longer and is causing us difficulties.  Despite our personnel problems we will try to get the maximum for everyone – for the riders, the race organizers and our sponsors.“
Over the weekend, MILRAM sprinter Alessandro Petacchi had to cancel his start in the Giro d'Italia due to a severe case of bronchitis.  Earlier, Erik Zabel had to skip the two Classics Liege-Bastogne-Liege and Rund um den Henninger Turm following a crash, and is preparing to ride his second Giro starting Saturday.  Allrounder Ralf Grabsch also had to take a break because of knee problems and will start Monday in the Neuseen Classics.