Dutch rider Erik Dekker, who broke his collarbone in his homeland's Tour de Rijke on August 20, will be able to attend the World Championships in Madrid after all. The healing of his fracture is evolving better than expected. "The chance that I'll ride the World's is a 100 percent now," Dekker told the Telegraaf. "My shoulder is almost without pain and I actually feel better than expected," said the 35-year old, who is currently training on Mediterranean island Ibiza with Karsten Kroon and Thomas Dekker.
Dekker the Elder will refine his form in the Tour of Poland from September 12-18. "But the the national coach has still to select me," Dekker laughed, knowing that Egon Van Kessel will surely pick him if his form is good. "I received an SMS from Erik that he feels good," Van Kessel said in return. "So there's no doubts about him: he'll be on our roster and with him, it doesn't look so bad for us at all. We're not favourites, but with Erik and Max Van Heeswijk's sprint victory in Spain, our chances go up."
