Aussie Focus

Aussie Kennedy returns to racing after horror Bastogne-Liege crash

Aussie Lucy Kennedy is set to make her return to racing only three months after a horror crash at Liege-Bastogne-Liege when she lines up for Donostia San Sebastian Klasikoa this Saturday.

7th Amstel Gold Race 2021 - Women's Elite

Lucy Kennedy of Australia and Team BikeExchange Source: Velo

The Team BikeExchange rider will be looking to defend her crown in Spain, having won the Donostia San Sebastian Klasikoa in 2019.

Just starting the race will be achievement enough for the 33-year-old who suffered complicated fractures of her hand and collarbone, as well as a fracture of her eye socket, when she came off her bike during Liege- Bastogne-Liege back in April.

It was the second major crash in the Ardennes block of racing for Kennedy after she suffered multiple fractures from a crash at the Amstel Gold Race in 2018.
The Aussie climber was looking forward to her return to racing at one of the hilliest one-day races in Spain.

“I'm feeling really strong on the bike again,” Kennedy said.

“The extent of my injuries meant six weeks off the road, but I was able to do plenty of work on the trainer and then a really solid seven weeks back on the road since.

“It feels fitting to make my racing return at San Sebastian, where I have such great memories from 2019.
“It's special starting a race as defending champion, especially after the cancellation last year. The beautiful but challenging course and the passionate Basque fans make this race my favourite.”

The 139-kilometre Women’s WorldTour race starts and finishes in Donostia and includes climbs over Jaizkibel, Gurrutze as well as the brutally steep Murgil.

Jess Allen, Sarah Roy, Urska Zigart, Janneke Ensing and Ane Santesteban make up the Team BikeExchange team for the race. 


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2 min read
Published 30 July 2021 2:54pm
Source: SBS Cycling Central


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