June 7, 2007 (Milan, Italy) — Belgian cyclist Frank Vandenbroucke (Acqua & Sapone), 32 years old, attempted suicide near Milan yesterday reports the Italian website tuttobiciweb.it. He is described as being in serious condition in hospital.

Vandenbroucke has a long and colourful cycling career, notably winning the Liège-Bastogne-Liège in 1999. He has ridden for such teams as Cofidis, Unibet and Acqua & Sapone since turning pro in 1994. He suffered his first major bike accident when he was four-years-old as a spectator of a race and received four operations following that incident.

Vandenbroucke, who suffers from depression, was found in 2002 to have banned substances””including EPO, clenbuterol, and morphine — at his residence; he explained to police that these substances were destined for his dog. For these and other doping offences, Vandenbroucke received a six month ban from pro cycling in 2002.

Vandenbroucke is quoted on the French version of Wikipedia as saying: “I’ve beaten depression. Don’t get me wrong, I won’t end up like Marco Pantani (an Italian cyclist who died of a cocaine overdose in 2004). I can still win big races. My family is my strength.”

Vandenbroucke is married to Sarah Pinacci with whom he has a five-year-old daughter; he also is the father of an eight-year-old son with his former girlfriend, Clotilde Menu. Vandenbroucke is the nephew of Jean-Luc Vandenbroucke, a former professional cyclist from Belgium.