Salvetat ponders retirement after Hofstade win

By Brecht Decaluwé in Hofstade

World cyclo-cross champion Maryline Salvetat grabbed her first World Cup win of the season in Hofstade and afterwards announced she may not come back to cyclo-cross next season. "It's great to win here," Salvetat told Cyclingnews at the finish line. "I had a bad start - I crashed, and had to chase for a while. I didn't panic because I knew that I needed the energy for the two final laps as the course is very demanding."

The French woman has not had a great season so far, but explained why she took it easy back in November. "I want to go to the Olympics and I'm building up my season for that goal," she said. "I didn't race in November and after the world championships I will take a break again. I hope to race the road race and the time trial in China, but I don't know if I'll be selected right now."

Taking a break isn't what many would expect, since 33 year-old Salvetat is combining cycling with a hospital job. "I don't think I'll be here next year," she said. "I studied for ten years to become a doctor and I finally want to perform the job. Right now I want to make it to the Olympics and that should be it for me."