Matthias Kessler
Matthias Kessler (born 16 May 1979 in Nuremberg), is a former German professional road racing cyclist who rode for Astana.
 Kessler at the Rund um den Henninger Turm 2005 | |
| Personal information | |
|---|---|
| Full name | Matthias Kessler |
| Born | 16 May 1979 Nuremberg, Germany |
| Team information | |
| Discipline | Road |
| Role | Rider |
| Rider type | All-rounder |
| Professional teams | |
| 2000–2006 | Team Telekom |
| 2007 | Astana |
Biography
Kessler debuted as a pro during the 2000 season after becoming German under 23 champion in 1999, a year in which he also took the bronze medal in the under 23 cycling world championships. Despite the fact that he has only 3 wins in his palmarès, which includes two consecutive victories at the Gran Premio Miguel Induráin and LUK-Cup of 2003, he is seen as an outsider for the Ardennes classic races.
In Grand Tours, Kessler won Stage 3 of the 2006 Tour de France in a late breakaway. The previous day on Stage 2, he was caught by the peloton less than 50 meters from the finish line. He had to abandon the 2004 Tour de France after a serious and spectacular fall caused him severe injuries, even though he managed to end the stage. In the 2005 Tour de France, he was part of the T-Mobile line-up and almost got a win at Mende.
Kessler is known for riding with his jersey open and also for wearing an undershirt intentionally torn for better cooling. In January 2010, he had a collision with a cat while on a training ride in Mallorca, Spain, and was left in a critical condition with severe head injuries.[1]
Doping
On 27 June 2007 Kessler was suspended by Astana for failing a drugs test for testosterone taken in Charleroi in April 2007.[2] He was fired from the team on 13 July.[3] Later named as a recipient of a blood transfusion at the University of Freiburg along with teammates Andreas Klöden and Patrick Sinkewitz during the 2006 Tour de France.
Major results
- 1999
- (U23)
Germany National Road Race Champion - 2002
- 6th – Liège–Bastogne–Liège
- 2nd overall – Giro del Piemonte
- 2nd overall – Luk-Cup Bühl
- 2003
- 5th – Amstel Gold Race
- Luk-Cup Bühl
- GP Miguel Indurain
- 2004
- 3rd – La Flèche Wallonne
- 6th – Amstel Gold Race
- GP Miguel Indurain
- 2006 – T-Mobile Team
- Stage 3 – Tour de France
- 10th – La Flèche Wallonne
References
- Kessler in critical condition after Mallorca crash
- "Pro Tour 2007 - Kessler fails dope test". Eurosport. 2007-06-27. Archived from the original on 2007-06-30. Retrieved 2007-06-27.
- "Astana fires Kessler after B sample returns positive". USA Today. 2007-07-13. Retrieved 2007-10-16.
