Cycling: Hoogerland back for Tour de France

PARIS: Dutch rider Johnny Hoogerland, who suffered an accident in last year’s Tour de France, will compete in the race this year with his Vacansoleil team, the Dutch outfit confirmed yesterday. Hoogerland had 33 stitches inserted to close deep gashes in his leg after he was hit by a car on the ninth stage last year, but has said that he wants to target the top climber’s polka dot jersey from June 30 to July 22. France’s Romain Feillu, who wore the yellow jersey in 2008, will not be competing for Vacansoleil, while Belgian Thomas de Gendt, third in the Tour of Italy, will skip the race because it clashes with his wedding plans.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 22^nd, 2012.