Sport - Vandenbroucke death
Belgian cyclist found dead in hotel
Article published on the 2009-10-13 Latest update 2009-10-13 11:10 TU
Frank Vandenbroucke, pictured last year
(Photo: Lieven Van Assche/AFP)
Authorities have issued no official cause of death, although Belgian media suggested that he suffered a pulmonary embolism.
Vandenbroucke was always considered a great talent, but his potential was hampered by personal problems.
He suffered from depression and tried two years ago to commit suicide after his wife requested a divorce.
"Sadly [his death] has only partly come as a surprise, for we knew he was not doing too well," said his uncle, former racer Jean-Luc Vandenbroucke. "He was up and down, both in terms of his health and his morale. He left for Senegal on Sunday."
Frank Vandenbroucke first appeared on the professional scene in 1993 and went on to win 54 races, including Liège-Bastogne-Liège in 1999 and Paris-Nice and Gent-Wevelgem in 1998.
He was first involved in a doping scandal in 1999. In 2002, doping products were found at his home. An initial conviction was overturned in 2007, the same year he tried to commit suicide.
"Frank was a super talent, yet difficult to coach,” his former coach José De Cauwer told the Belgian newspaper De Morgen. “He was a very good guy, someone with a good soul. However, many people were jealous of his talent.
"It is unfortunate that he did little with it, and now this happens, at the age of 34,” he added. “This is much too young; Frank has done absolutely nothing to deserve this.”
