Antoine Duchesne to undergo surgery for endofibrosis of left leg’s iliac artery
Tony the Tiger hopes to be back for Grand Prix Cycliste de Québec et Montréal
On Monday Canadian WorldTour cyclist Antoine “Tony the Tiger” Duchesne announced that he would be undergoing surgery for endofibrosis of left leg’s iliac artery next week.
Malheureusement, c’était la dernière fois que je portais ce beau maillot en course!
Comme je l'avais déjà évoqué, j'ai des problèmes depuis plus de 2 mois à la jambe gauche.
Le verdict est tombé : endofibrose de l’artère iliaque. Comme on dit: j’ai d… https://t.co/X4GDnmzr8b pic.twitter.com/oc9IwaDDEb— Antoine Duchesne (@tonythetiger_1) May 20, 2019
The Groupama-FDJ rider posted on Twitter and Instagram bemoaning the fact that he would be wearing the national champions jersey for the last time, as he would miss defending his title in late June.
Duchesne said that he had been having problems with his left leg for two months. Endofibrosis of the iliac artery is a rare condition, but one that is known to form in cyclists. People with the condition experience cramping and pain in the affected leg.
Fabio Aru (Italy/UAE-Team Emirates) has missed most of the early season after constriction of the iliac artery in his left leg.
Tony the Tiger just finished 35th in the Four Days of Dunkirk, which Jumbo-Visma utterly dominated. He has 28 racing days under his belt this season.
He wrote that he hopes to be back racing in time for the Grand Prix Cycliste de Québec et Montréal in mid-September.
Canadian Cycling Magazine wishes Antoine a speedy recovery.