Shannon Malseed is keeping a positive outlook despite an injury derailing her tilt at another national title at the 2020 Cycling Australia Road National Championships in Ballarat.
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The former Australian champion, who stormed to victory in the elite women's road race in 2018, was involved in a heavy fall during the second stage of the Bay Crits in Geelong over the weekend.
The 24-year-old TIBCO-Silicon Valley Bank rider sustained a fractured scapula, some spinal damage and a head injury as a result of Saturday's crash, which was caused by a touch of wheels on the final lap of racing.
"I've got a fractured scapula in a few places, which is the main source of pain for me and will take a while to heal. But at this stage no surgery is required," Malseed told the Ballarat Courier.
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"My vertebrae has a few small fractures or "chips"... but these will heal on their own and I don't need any surgery or brace or anything. I can move freely without risking spinal injury.
"My head is a little sore so I'm laying low to give my brain a little rest. I'm just being cautious of head injury - trying to look after myself there and give myself the best recovery possible."
Malseed was scheduled to ride in the elite women's criterium and road race in Buninyong this week.
"It'll be a little bump in the road for the start of my season, but I have such a great support network around me, I'm sure I'll get taken care of better than I can imagine," the former Portland resident said.
"I've already had so much love from family and friends and I can't thank everyone enough for all their well wishes."
Camperdown export and defending Australian time trial champion Grace Brown is set to race in Wednesday's elite women's time trial and Sunday's road race.
The Mitchelton-Scott rider will need to overcome teammates Amanda Spratt and Lucy Kennedy to score back-to-back national titles in the race against the clock.
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