Albert out of hospital

Cyclo-cross racer Niels Albert was able to leave the hospital in Herentals, Belgium on Saturday, where he had been recovering from injuries sustained in a crash last Sunday. Albert ruptured his spleen in a wreck during the warm-up lap of the Superprestige race in Asper-Gavere, and spent several days in the intensive care unit.

Albert's manager Christophe Roodhooft told Sporza.be that the rider had also sustained a fractured rib and was beginning to develop pneumonia this week, but prompt medication had cured the infection.

"Given the circumstances, things are going well for Niels," Roodhooft said. "He will now have a quiet week, and next week can begin aqua-jogging. That is the only exercise he can begin."

Roodhooft said that Albert will be able to return to the bike in about four weeks. "The season is not over, but the level at which he will return will not be the same as when he left the field."