This European cycling season has been a roller coaster ride of trials and tribulations.

I raced into the best results of my short career, 5 top ten finishes and 13th in a WC, and was named in the long list for the Aussie team to compete at the world championships. I am extremely proud and honour where I’ve progressed from, but indeed hungry for more.

In the midst of a swag of solid performances, world cup rides, regular national team starts I have had a little share of adversity.

Just two weeks ago, during a pre worlds Altitude training camp at Passo Stelvio, Italy, I sustained a high speed crash caused by a front wheel puncture at 65kph.. resulting in a broken mandible (lower jaw), head contusions and facial lacerations.

Hitting the deck from that speed is never going to end pretty, withstanding unfortunate circumstances, accepting that some things cannot be reasoned, I have put it into perspective. I am one lucky girl… to be talking, walking, hearing and seeing are the important things that I can feel thankful for.

I was immediately transferred to Innsbruck, Austria in the middle of the Alps to a hospital with world class maxillo-facial orthopedic care. I was operated on that night to fix the fracture with plates and screws.

The funny thing about adversity is that you cannot predict it, nor control it and you often cannot explain it, you can only learn and build from how you deal with it. Shortly after looking in the mirror for the first time I was gutted and questioned a lot of things – justice, luck, ruthlessness and quite naturally the brutal laws of physics!

The path that I have taken in getting to this level in cycling and thirst for more was thrown into the forefront of my mind and I quickly rearranged my thoughts positively and by day 5 post op was doing stair reps of the Innsbruck hospital, admiring the 1976 Olympic Ski Jump at each level I ascended!

The care, support and communication from the AIS / Aussie National Team staff, especially our physio Beth Duryea and assistant coach Dave McPartland, in the initial stages was unbelievable throughout a tough ordeal, everyone stayed so relaxed, supportive and positive which was a brilliant support.

There was always positives; a bunch of sunflowers from my teammates back in Livigno made one day, a visit from on old friend in town made another and the positives kept on coming until I walked out of that hospital able to pull off a smile on my only partially swollen face!

A week later (after countless doses of IV antibiotics, ice pack applications, plates of soft unrecognisable food) I was released from hospital and the rehab plan had started forming.. after a meeting with the national coach Martin Barras and head physiologist Dave Martin back in Italy, I was on a plane back to AUS.

I am now at the AIS in Canberra to indulge in the care of an extremely well orchestrated care team. Rehab is going full gas here, no stone left unturned with physiology, medical, physio, nutrition, sports psychology, biomechanics and strength & conditioning all in full support – the opportunity to use this world class resource is an affirmation in itself and I am extremely grateful to AIS and Cycling Australia to be here.

I was astounded and completely flattered by the kind thoughts i received from everyone back home. I was to thank each and every person who sent messages of positivity, affirmation, support and care.

The accident cannot be justified but a comeback can.

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http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/australian-worlds-team-named

http://www.smh.com.au/sport/cycling/sprint-kings-missing-richie-porte-in-time-trial-squad-for-world-championships-20100824-13kci.html

A bit o bad luck but that’s racing. Now the race is all about riding for the overall team GC result. Taking what ever role i’m given and doing it to the best of my ability. Feeling surprisingly good given that I had a nice bruise on my hip and a fair bit of skin off from a crash the day before, I started Stage 3 in good spirits. The race set off easily enough but it wasn’t too long before the pace lifted and once 30 km had passed the it was game on….

Wind and rain made for a tough day, I rode well in the opening hour positioning well and covering movess until Spratty made the break. A puncture with a slow neutral change put me out of the pointy end of GC this day. After a crash and then a puncture causing me to loose even more time we decided I would not go all out in the TT. My Team mate Amanda Spratt had ridden fantasticly in stage 3 and was now in the top 10 and I plan to go all out for her in the coming stages. I took in the views and saved the legs ….. with a bit of luck going my way that should really help me in these later stages.

Stage 1 and 2

These first few stages is all about our nominated sprinter for this race Kirsty  Broun. The team is riding well however our performance in stage one wasn’t up to the mark that it needs to be to give Kirsty the best opportunity in the sprint to the line.

In stage 2 we needed to lift our game and that we did. I was called to go to the front up the last climb with about 7km to go. It wasn’t a serious climb, so not enough to try and do any damage to any of the main contenders for the stage but I gave my all anyway to try and give Kirsty the best opportunity for the finish. With about 3km to go I suddenly found myself tied up in a crash. I hit the ground hard, a bit of skin off and surely some brusing but i jumped back on and finished 1 min down. Not ideal but maybe they wont chase me initially if I get a chance to get up the road later in the race …..

In the sprint Marianne Vos proved to be too strong finishing ahead of Teutenberg and race leader Annemiek who are all clearly in top form finishing 3 seconds ahead of the reaming peloton. Kirsty had a good sprint to finish 7th for her second top ten in 2 consecutive stages.

The Prologue

I’m here in France to race La Route de France with the Australian team and things kicked off today with a 5.9 km prologue. On a course that was going to be suited to the big power riders I wasn’t hoping for a podium but also didn’t want to loose too much time to the overall GC girls.

Out the front Sarah Duster from Cervelo Test team and Annemiek Van Vluenten from Nederland Bloeit rocketed along the course to set the equal quickest time for the day at 7 min 58 sec. I wanted to be with in 30 secs of those girls as I am feeling strong and when the road turns upwards I know thats the sort of time I can make back.

Once out on the road I felt reasonable, there was a decent headwind that had picked up through the afternoon, I just had to focus and ride hard and just get through it the best I could. I crossed the line 28 seconds behind the leaders and in 21st place over all, so pretty happy. Bring on some hills!

I recently decided to look at exactly what has made Aussie cycling power forward onto a world stage steadily in the past few years. I discovered it has come about by passion, performance and powermeters…

Check out my latest article on the SRM website http://www.srm.de/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=568&catid=117&Itemid=503&lang=en

We didn’t win overall GC but were mighty close and did everything we could to try, just beaten by a marginally better team on the final day. Each of the the girls rode their legs off in a brilliant team effort each day. I think the next time we are in a position to win a race such as Limousin we will be more experienced because of this years race.

Personally i was very happy with my form first race back after my crash and completing my role working for the team result. I finished 7th in the TT which i was very happy with also!

Pics here;

http://www.rachelneylan.com/category/gallery/

http://www.amygillett.org.au/australian-women-s-cycling-team-rememember-amy

http://www.amygillett.org.au/message-from-amy-s-parents-on-the-5th-anniversary

Being an AGF scholarship holder means more than just opportunity. It is about being part of Amy’s legacy which is an absolute honour.

I never knew Amy but wished I did – as my racing season progresses well here in Europe and on this anniversary I am ever so greatful of being part of the AGF family.

Stage 1 was 118 km with 7 Climbs and with a motivated Lotto Team, the race didn’t take long to get serious and selections were being made. I had the form to get into the decisive spilt, working for Ruth for the final climb. I raced hard to set it up for Ruth to go in the final break, I unfortunately didn’t have enough left to go with them. I finished in 12th but Ruth finished in second but had done enough through out the day to take the race lead on GC.

Stage 2 was A Time Trial and I was again feeling good. It was an opportunity for me to see what kind of form i was in! I gave it my all and at the finish I was seventh on the stage. Feeling very satisfied with my 4th European top ten in only my second race back after my crash in Spain, it was a ride that also moved me up to 8th overall.  Ruth was third on the day and has slipped to 2nd in GC by only 5 seconds so we will be looking to help her get back into the yellow soon.

I will update again after stage three, it will be a big two days on the road but looking forward to it!

Following GP Cento on Sunday I joined the Aussie team again for a few days training in Varese at the AIS base. Congrats to fellow Aussie and friend Rochelle Gilmore on her 2nd place at the race!

I was happy with my first race back at Cento, all was positive on the flat, fast and very hot circuit.. my SRM average temp was a nasty 38deg!

We depart tomorrow for an 8h drive across Italy / France to Limousin in central France for the UCI 2.2 Tour Feminin en Limousin.

I am looking forward to a good return to top level stage racing  – we have a fantastic team starting with Ruth Corset, Amanda Spratt, Shara Gillow, Lauren Kitchen and Carlee Taylor.

It is more than likely that we wont have internet a the race accommodation as unfortunately the French women’s race budgets have much to be desired. So i have posted the links here for the race details and following;

Race stage results http://www.cyclingnews.com/races/tour-feminin-en-limousin-2-2-1

Race website http://www.aacf87.org/

After a two week rehabilitation period off the bike following the crash in Spain, then 2.5 weeks of solid training I am ready to return to racing tomorrow. I will start the GP Cento Carnivale in Cento Italy wtih Team System Data – a flat 110km race, perfect for a return to competition.

I will then travel to France with the Aussie National Team for the Tour of Limousin

I have had a very tough relentless but brillant uninterrupted block of training. Living here in Lucca and working at the SRM Italian HQ has given me a fantastic supportive environment to live and train.

I have done much of my work solo so give much thanks to my Ipod and SRM! It has been a farily demanding training block but have had much support to get over the training peaks from my sponsors in particular 2XU recovery compression and Endura sports nutrition.

A hard day or two were always punctuated with a beautiful view of the mediterranian sea, an ancient mountain top  monument or a tuscan sunset.

It’s been a good experience settling in to life here for an extended time, finding my local routines, meeting friends and establishing local networks and necessary services – first and foremost the local patisserie and barrister “Angelo Dolce”, local bakery “Panne Panifico”, my Fiseotherapista / osteo “Francesco” and the go to guy for motorpacing Armondo (offering wthe draft of him in skinsuit on his decked out Cervelo P3 / or his smartcar!) and of course my favourite Parruchiere (= hairdresser) in town Simone!

Here are some shots from some of the kms i’ve been the road