Heinrich Haussler’s future as a professional rider could hinge on his performance at the Cyclassics Hamburg on August 20.
That may sound dramatic but the Australian is well aware that after a double knee surgery and an injury-ravaged campaign, his time in the professional ranks is at a crossroads. If he comes through Hamburg relatively unscathed and pain free, he will be able to continue on the path of recovery, but another setback could mean it is all over.
In an exclusive interview with Cyclingnews, Haussler talked about his long road to recovery, his depression, and how this is make or break.
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Haussler, 33, has amassed just six days of racing this calendar year – 1032.8 kilometres to be precise – with only an appearance at the Four Days of Dunkirk to his name. It’s scant reward for a rider who was brought to Bahrain-Merida in order to lead the line in their inaugural Classics campaign. In fact, since October, when the knee injury was first diagnosed, Haussler has had two operations, a volley of setbacks and misdiagnoses, bouts of depression, and a number of false dawns.
As the 2017 season heads towards autumn, and most riders’ thoughts drift to plans for the winter and holidays, Haussler is locked in a battle with his own body as he tries to prove he can return to racing. Assuming he is selected, the first battle starts at Hamburg in just over a week’s time.
“I honestly can’t say which way it might go but I’m going to give it a shot. I know it’s my last shot though,” Haussler tells Cyclingnews from his training base in St. Moritz, Switzerland.
Dealing with depression
Riding pain free
You can read more at Cyclingnews.com
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