Cycling, Haussler like Colbrelli leaves the activity for heart problems. They were teammates

A new blow to the heart at home Bahrain-Victorious. Heinrich Haussler must hang up the bike. The rider born in Germany but of Australian nationality must stop, like his former teammate Sonny Colbrellifor heart problems. Aged 39, including 19 as a pro with half a dozen teams, in Bahrain since his founding in 2017, Haussler retires after 22 victories. In a cardiac screening, at the end of 2022, different values ​​emerged compared to those of previous years, which forced him to further checks with specialists in Germany and Italy. In consultation with the doctors, “it was decided” the team statement reads “that the risks associated with continued participation in top-level sports were greater than the benefits. Heinrich will continue in cycling as sporting director, where his knowledge, experience and passion for cycling will help guide future generations of professional cyclists.” Haussler had been the first to embrace Sonny Colbrelli at the end of the victorious race Paris-Roubaix 2021. An excellent tenth place had arrived for him then. He leaves right at Roubaix’s viilla.

“Unforgettable that Roubaix with Sonny Colbrelli”

“Looking back now,” he explains Haussler “There are tears of joy along with a sadness that I need to arrest, but I’m happy and in the last 4-5 years at my age, I think I’ve gotten the most out of this sport. So when I stop, I can say that I have given my all and can move on to the next phase of my life. I want to stay in the sport and I want to become a sports director, which I have been planning for the past 3-4 years. At the end of each season I had to decide if I wanted to move to flagship or continue racing, and my passion for the sport has always kept me on the road. I probably would have tried to keep living that dream into my 40s because it was never a job for me, I’m lucky enough to have made a career out of my hobby. There is a lot I can look back on and be happy with what I have achieved in cycling. Now I look to the next chapter of helping the new generation and sharing my experience, especially in classics or lead-outs. Like when Sonny won Roubaix, it was one of the moments I’m most proud of, and it’s hard not to hold back the tears thinking about that day and that experience that will keep that group of riders together”.

Colbrelli’s story

On March 21, 2022, at the end of the first stage of the Volta a Catalunya, Sonny Colbrelli suffered a cardiac arrest. After his life was in danger, the rider from Brescia had to have a subcutaneous defibrillator implanted which forced him to suddenly retire. His last victory will remain Paris-Roubaix 2021. Now he is “studying” to become sporting director of Bahrain-Victorious.