Where in the world is: Tim Gudsell, injured kiwi pro cyclist

Apr 1st, 09

In this second article in the "Where in the world series", RoadCycling NZ caught up with Tim Gudsell,  Francais des Jeux.

Tim Gudsell started off the Tour Down Under in great form, he won a sprint during the opening day Cancer Classic and was in the top 10 on Stage 1.

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"Left with a collarbone in four pieces and a fractured elbow I walked away so disappointed that my good form and plan ahead could be knocked off the rails just like that. Immediate surgery that night, had my collarbone back in line but the elbow would prove to be more problematic....."

Gudsell headed back to his team Francais des Jeux's French base for recovery and rehab.  Luckily for Gudsell his girlfriend is an Occupational Therapist and his team agreed she could accompany him back to France.  More tests in France, and an M.R.I. scan showed a compression fracture to the head of the elbow radius, and so started the long recovery.

Gudsell enjoys the view after walking up Sainte Victoire, France

I am now over two months down the track from my crash in Australia and the road back to that top form we are all after has been a bumpy one. My collarbone has settled well, as the surgeons sure did a great job putting all the pieces back together. The elbow has been a little more problematic but now isn't too painful and only missing a couple of degrees in extension and some muscle strength (not so easy when there wasn't a lot to begin with).

I had been back on the road for three weeks quietly building my endurance back up to a manageable level, to only be knocked back by a recurring sciatic problem that effects my left glut and leg. So back off the bike for another week and back to the physio and gym to try and relieve some pressure.

The race season is well underway here as you all know, but there is still a bigger chunk left. I hope to get the body into shape for late May, June if possible and then we will see how things go from there.

For now the physio sessions continue along with any exercise that I can do pain free.

Update April 3, Tim has announced he will be racing on April 8th in the Gent Wevelgem a one day Pro Tour race in Belgium.   "With three important races on throughout Europe next week the team is already stretched. While nobody is expecting results (least of all me), it will be refreshing for my head to be back in a race environment and pin a number on for the first time in over two months."

Finally, what does Tim Gudsell have to say about Lance Armstrong's injuries and race potential? "For sure he can still be competitive at the Giro, he's had the operation, is back on the trainer so rehab will be minimal if there are no complications".

Keep up to date with Tim's rehab progress; www.TimGudsell.com

Photos courtesy Tim Gudsell

Where in the world series articles:

• Where in the world is: Ryan Wills kiwi pro cyclist