Frank Vandenbroucke

Frank Vandenbroucke

Personal information
Full name	Frank Vandenbroucke
Nickname	VDB
Born	(1974-11-06)November 6, 1974 Mouscron, Belgium
Died	October 12, 2009(2009-10-12) (aged 34) Saly, Senegal
Team information
Current team	Retired
Discipline	Road
Role	Rider
Rider type	Classics specialist
Professional teams
1994–1999	Lotto
1999–2000	Cofidis
2001–2003	Domo-Farm Frites
2004	Fassa Bortolo
2005	MrBookmaker.com
2006	Unibet.com
Major wins
Liège–Bastogne–Liège (1999), Paris–Nice (1998)

Frank Vandenbroucke (6 November 1974 – 12 October 2009), often referred to by his initials VDB, was a professional Belgian road cyclist renowned for his talent and tumultuous career. Vandenbroucke's career was marked by numerous victories as well as personal struggles.

Early life and career

Born in Mouscron, Belgium, Vandenbroucke began his professional career in 1994 with the Lotto team. He quickly established himself as a talented rider, winning stages in various races and showing potential in one-day classics.

Career highlights

Vandenbroucke's most notable year was 1999, when he achieved his most prestigious victory at Liège–Bastogne–Liège, one of cycling's five Monuments. That same year, he also won two stages of the Vuelta a España and the overall title at Paris–Nice.

Personal life and struggles

Vandenbroucke's career was overshadowed by personal issues, including battles with depression and substance abuse. His performances declined in the early 2000s, and he faced several legal issues related to drug possession.

Death

Vandenbroucke died under mysterious circumstances in Saly, Senegal, on 12 October 2009. The cause of death was initially reported as a pulmonary embolism, but later investigations suggested complications related to his long-standing health issues.

Legacy

Despite his troubled life, Vandenbroucke is remembered as one of the most talented and charismatic cyclists of his generation. His story is often cited as a cautionary tale about the pressures of professional sports.

See also

• List of doping cases in cycling
• List of Belgian cyclists