Fabien Barel out for the World Championships

Fabien Barel has broken a bone in his foot after he slipped and caught his foot between the pedal and the ground while racing in Finland. The bone he has broken is small, but the injury is not. The foot will need a two month recovery time with no weight bearing on the bone and foot. If not allowed to heal correctly the bone will die and surgery and bone graphs will be required. Barel won't be back on the bike for at least three months, he said: "It's all part of the rule in bike racing. It's been a very tough season mentally. I feel like I have been riding very well but have no paper to show for it," he said. Teammate Tracey Moseley remarked, "Fabien has been riding as well, if not better than I have ever seen him ride. It's a shame he's out and won't get to prove it. The results this year certainly don't represent his abilities." Team Manager Mark Peterson said, "This is not the first time we've had injured riders. At this level of the sport it is bound to happen sometime during their career, you just hope it's not something that will end their career. Fabien will be back next year in Kona colors and I'm sure he'll be on a mission to prove he remains one of the best riders in the world." www.konaworld.com