October 27, 2006 – Charles Dionne (Saunier Duval-Prodir) was interviewed by the Journal de Quebec on Wednesday (Oct. 25) on the eve of his leg surgery. “I am glad that it’s going to happen, but it’s not that I want it really. I don’t like having a tooth pulled and this is going to be much more complicated than that,” said the 27-year-old athlete.

Surgeons hope to free up Dionne’s left iliac artery, an artery in the hip and upper leg region. Problems with the artery caused him pain when exerting himself and disrupted his 2006 season. Dionne only raced at the Tour of Flanders (April 3) and at Gent-Wevelgem (April 5) this year, then spent the summer in Quebec City.

He expects be in a hospital in Gijon, Spain for at least five days and is relieved that the surgeon that is operating on him is experienced with this kind of procedure. “For the moment all that counts is regaining my health,” added Dionne.

He said that the management of his Spanish team had assured him of a place in 2007 despite his poor season.

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