[ad_1]
2023 began solidly for Jay Vine, the newly-crowned Australian Time Trial champion profitable the Santos Tour Down Below in sensational type.
However the ensuing months haven’t precisely gone to plan, with the 27yo experiencing first-hand the ups, downs, trials and tribulations of the professional biking world.
Chosen for the third and ultimate Grand Tour of the yr, the Vuelta Espana, Vine was in scintillating type going into the race and after 5 phases was the main Australian in thirteenth total.
However all the pieces modified when a chaotic Stage 6 crash devastated quite a few riders, together with Vine.
Taking to social media within the days after abandoning his 4th Grand Tour (3 Vueltas and 1 Giro), Vine wrote that the crash ‘has been a bitter tablet to swallow.’
‘From being within the profitable transfer throughout Stage 6, and pondering the staff & I may probably take the purple jersey; to impulsively being despatched flying into the street at 70km/hr from a random mechanical. As soon as once more I discovered myself on the aspect of the street & my La Vuelta ended,’ he wrote.
‘I had a complete 40/ 50 minutes on the aspect of the street pondering while ready for the ambulance to come back. After the preliminary anger, & the warmth of the second it dawned on me that what truly hurts essentially the most is I lastly sorted out my many mishaps all through the season. This yr has been difficult, I began questioning if I even belong within the pelo, however I bought my numerous well being points lastly sorted, I’ve labored with my technical expertise, I’ve been engaged on minimising the dangers, and I lastly began to really feel like I belong within the peloton once more each mentally and bodily, while having enjoyable racing my bike.’
‘Usually when issues go sideways, we stroll away being like ‘xx classes learnt’ relying on the state of affairs. However this was completely random, I’ve had the staff guarantee me there wasn’t something I may do, nonetheless, that is going to play on my thoughts for some time.
‘The staff was nice & let Bre know I used to be okay ASAP, so she bought within the automobile to fulfill me on the hospital comparatively shortly. I’m not going to lie, I’m fairly sore. After just a few hours on the hospital having them verify no breaks, then cleansing & scrubbing the injuries inside an inch of their life (which I’ve been assured is certainly a superb factor). 7 hours after the accident they determined it might be a terrific thought to attempt & shut the massive gash in my elbow with 9 staples with none native anaesthetic & only a type of Panadol. That was by far essentially the most painful few hours within the hospital I’ve ever had.
‘The staff bought me again to the resort & we spent the evening there with the staff, earlier than Bre & I drove again residence yesterday. Just a few days in mattress are so as.
‘I don’t know the way lengthy it’ll take for me to get well however this can be a fairly huge blow to morale, fortunately I’ve a terrific help community round me. I respect all of the help, I like racing my bike & it’s wonderful & humbling that individuals help me.’
Bicycling Australia want Jay all the very best in restoration, and look ahead seeing him again racing quickly and certainly defending his TDU title in January 2024.
[ad_2]
