Shannon Malseed returned to the south-west as she recovers from injury

Portland export and 2018 national road race champion Shannon Malseed will return to the south-west to take part in club's annual 60-kilometre event around the Wangoom circuit on Saturday.

The 25-year-old is building her fitness back up after she was involved in a heavy fall during the second stage of the January's Bay Crits.

The TIBCO-Silicon Valley Bank rider sustained a fractured scapula, some spinal damage and a head injury as a result of the crash caused by a touch of wheels.

Malseed, who missed this year's Australian titles and is absent for the open stages of the team's 2020 European campaign, has been riding in a number of south-west club races as she recovers.

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Warrnambool Cycling Club secretary Richard Adams said it was an exciting prospect for participants to race Malseed.

"It's always great to have someone around who has been at that professional level," he said. "She is obviously coming back from injury and building her strength back up which is encouraging for our members."

Adams said the club was expecting over 60 riders to take part in the event, which has a junior (under 11,13,15 and 17) and senior events.

This weekend's event is the start of the 2020 South West Series, which involves the region's cycling clubs holding a number of their marquee races.

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