Bodrogi progresses ahead of next Katusha camp

By Gregor Brown

Laszlo Bodrogi is back on his bike after a three-month break due to a crash in the Tour of Germany last August. The Hungarian time trial specialist rode for the first time with his new team, Katusha, at its camp in Italy last month.

"The others were not able to get out often because there was really bad weather. Everyday it rained. There was one good day where they all got in four hours, but I was only able to do an hour before returning to the hotel," he said to Cyclingnews from his home in Ney, France.

Bodrogi crashed in the final four kilometres of the Deutschland Tour's last stage. He fractured the tibia and fibula in his left leg. Despite the misfortune, Katusha signed Bodrogi in October as his old team, Crédit Agricole, closed operations.

"The colour changes from green to blue and white, but that is about it. After a couple of weeks I will be used to it. ... The team takes care of us so the riders only have to think of the bike and racing."

He will join the other teammates of the Russian ProTour team in Calpe, Spain, next week for the second team camp. The fractures and under-developed muscles limit his riding to one-hour rides.

"For three months I was not able to do anything. The left leg lost a lot of strength and I need to be careful because the fracture is not 100 percent healed. ... It is not something where I can say for certain when I will start to race again."

Bodrogi will re-visit his doctor for x-rays to track the healing progress. It is likely fans will see him racing in late spring, though he remains low-key about his chances.