Team Sky quit Vuelta after team soigneur dies from toxic infection

Tuesday, 07 September 2010 13:59

Written by Editor

"We wish all the other teams in the race well and will now take time to deal with this tragic news, “  said team principal Dave Brailsford.Team Sky has pulled out of the Vuelta a España following the death of Txema González. The popular and widely-respected Team Sky soigneur-(massage therapist) died in hospital in Seville on Friday evening, at the age of 43.

The withdrawal, announced by team principal Dave Brailsford, was taken by the team and supported by the family. The Vuelta organisers and UCI have been informed.

Speaking for Team Sky, Brailsford said: "Txema's death is devastating to everyone in Team Sky. We've lost a good friend, a much respected and valued colleague. Our thoughts are with Txema's family.  We have considered all the elements very carefully and this is the only decision we could take. It's the right one; to show respect to Txema and to look after our team.

"We discussed it with Txema's family and they fully support our decision. They have asked us to the funeral next week and we will of course be there to support them and to pay our respects. Others - staff and riders - have been ill during this Tour  and Juan Antonio Flecha pulled out on Friday.

“The medical conditions are different but we need to take care of our team.The organisers of the Vuelta and the UCI have both been informed of our decision and we are deeply grateful for their cooperation and understanding.”

Team Sky's Dr Steve Peters explained: "Txema contracted a bacterial infection which entered the bloodstream and developed into sepsis.

"The toxins from this had damaged the organs in his body and he went into septic shock and unfortunately succumbed to that. I should also clarify that this bacterial infection has nothing to do with the viral infection which many of the
team have suffered with in Spain, causing stomach upset."

Brailsford paid tribute to a hugely popular member of the Team Sky staff, adding: "Txema will be remembered as a warm-hearted colleague who was a joy to work with and was universally respected by our team and throughout the pro cycling scene. The team attended the start of stage eight in Villena on Saturday, where a minute's silence was held in respect for Gonzalez, before remaining in Spain for his funeral  in Pamplona.”

The race meanwhile has been continuing and HTC’s Mark Cavendish is in the green points jersey after a close finish on stage seven where it looked like he might grab the stage win but was foiled by the barriers -  as the road narrowed he had nowhere to go and finally freewheeled over the line in second place. Alessandro Petacchi won the stage into Orihuela.

Petacchi didn’t get any further in the race though having abandoned  it on Sunday because of pains from a crash the day before which also involved Mark Cavendish. Petacchi will return home to La Spezia, Italy, where he is involved in a doping investigation.  He faces a four-year to lifetime suspension because these charges, if verified, will count for his second doping offence. At the 2007 Giro d'Italia, he tested positive for excessive levels of asthma medication  Salbutamol.