Macey Stewart recovering from surgery

ELITE female cyclist Macey Stewart will be a non-starter in this weekend’s Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race, but is hoping for a quick return to training.

The Wiggle High5 rider – who was writing an exclusive column for this newspaper in the lead-up to CEGORR – sustained facial injuries after crashing heavily in the opening stage of Women’s Tour Down Under on January 11, but has since had successful plastic surgery. In an update posted on the Wiggle High5 website, the 22-year-old Tasmanian recalled her crash on the final corner of the 115-kilometre Gumeracha stage, which followed her ride to set up team-mate Nettie Edmondson for victory.

“On the first stage of the TDU we had had a really great team race, especially being our first race together,” she said. “Within the last 200 metres I had dropped Nettie off for the sprint, and while still sprinting for the finish myself I clipped a metal barricade that was protruding onto the road.

“As I was travelling so fast and was stopped very abruptly when hitting the barricade, I sustained injuries to most of my body.”

Stewart – who was making her Wiggle High5 debut – immediately withdrew from the Tour Down Under, although her injuries were initially believed not to be serious.

“After a trip via ambulance to hospital and many doctors’ visits and X-rays due to the pain I was in, it was discovered I had a severe fracture/collapse in my eye socket, a fractured big toe and lots of skin off,” she said. “I am now in a moon boot to allow my toe to heal as quickly as possible.”

She underwent plastic surgery on her eye socket last week, which she said ended up being more invasive than she first thought.

“I now have a plate replacing my orbital floor and holding my eye in place. It has taken more out of me than I thought.

“However, I am hoping to recover quickly and be back on an ergo (bike) as soon as possible.”