RABOBANK’S OSCAR FREIRE TO RETIRE AT THE END OF 2010 SEASON
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;setCaption(document.image_thumb); "Rabobank’s Oscar Freire will retire after the 2010 season. He wants a fourth world championship before then. Photo by Cor Vos.")
;setCaption(document.image_extra_one_thumb); "Freire has ridden his Giant TCR Advanced SL to two victories in 2009. He’s been in the mix at the finish line numerous times. Photo by Cor Vos.")
3-Time World Champion to try for fourth title
Prior to the start of Stage 11 of the 2009 Vuelta a España, Rabobank’s Oscar Freire revealed he will retire following the 2010 season when his current contract with the Dutch-based team ends. He confirmed that between now and then he has set his sights on winning another world championship. His next chance comes September 27th when the Men’s Elite Road Race in the UCI Road Cycling World Championships takes place in Mendrisio, Switzerland.
Interviewed by Spanish newspaper El Mundo, the sprinter said before he retires he wants to win a fourth title and beat the record he shares with Eddy Merckx, Alfredo Binda, and Rik Van Steenbergen. “That would be the perfect way to round off my career,” said Freire.
Early In 2009, Freire suffered fractured ribs in a crash in the Tour of California, forcing him to sit out for two months while recovering. He returned to racing in April and powered his Giant TCR Advanced SL bicycle to two stage victories in the Tour of Romandie. Numerous other times he’s been in the mix this season, finishing in the top ten in bunch sprints in countless other races and stages. 2009 is Freire’s 11th year as a professional.
“I’ve won a few things—winning three world titles isn’t bad,” Freire told the newspaper. “Now I’ve reached the moment when I’m not dreaming about taking more stage wins. I’m satisfied with what I’ve achieved.”
Freire finished 9th in a full bunch sprint at the finish line in the Vuelta’s Stage 11, which was won by Tyler Farrar. Led out by team mates Bram Tankink and Lars Boom, Freire made a run for first, but was passed in the final 25 meters. Eric Breukink, the sporting director of Team Rabobank, told reporters that Freire is using the Tour of Spain to tune up for another try at the rainbow stripes. “We don’t know if Oscar will finish the Vuelta,” he said. “We’ll take it day by day. He’s here to prepare for the worlds.”
Rabobank’s Robert Gesink remained in third place in the general classification going into the Vuelta’s second rest day. He is just 36 seconds behind race leader Alejandro Valverde.