WomensCycling.net

South Australian cyclist Alexis Rhodes, 20, has started physiotherapy as part of her rehabilitation and Tasmanian Louise Yaxley, 23, is recovering well from surgery in the University Clinic in Jena.

Australian Institute of Sport Director, Professor Peter Fricker, says the pair remain in intensive care but doctors say they are very happy with the progress of both women.

Alexis Rhodes - in TT action in Italy, July 2005

Click to enlarge

"Alexis has done some walking and some cycling on a stationary rehabilitation bike," said Prof. Fricker. "It's pretty amazing progress for a girl in intensive care but she's determined.

"The surgery on Louise went very well," said Prof. Fricker. "Doctors changed the fixator device in her right elbow to allow more flexibility and they also operated on her left wrist.

"She has also undergone skin grafts on both arms," he said. "She will need to have some pins removed at a future date but she is doing well mentally and has recovered from the anaesthetic and surgery very well."

Meanwhile Sydney's Kate Nichols, 20, has been out and about in Jena and will be heading home in the next week or so while Queenslander, Lorian Graham, 27, has started physiotherapy and rehabilitation including cycling with one leg.

"She is mentally very strong and enthusiastic about her rehabilitation," said Prof. Fricker.

Sydney's Katie Brown, 21, has begun weight bearing exercise on her left leg but work on her right leg will have to wait until the fractured bones knit.

Champion cyclist and Atlanta Olympic Games rower, Amy Gillett, 29, died instantly when a teenage female driver lost control of her vehicle, crossed to the other side of the road and ploughed into the six member Australian women's team last Tuesday (0140 AEST - Monday local time). The team was training for the Thüringen Tour due to start the next day. Her funeral followed by a memorial service will be held next Friday July 29th in Ballarat.

Her five injured team mates have sent back a message to be read on their behalf at the memorial service.

A second memorial service will be held at Adelaide's Super-Drome on Friday August 5th.

Amy's family and Cycling Australia have established the Amy Gillett-Safe Cycling Foundation to honour her memory. The Foundation will assist with the recovery of her injured team mates, fund a sporting and academic scholarship program for promising female cyclists and promote road safety awareness amongst cyclists and motorists.

The German government has announced a donation of $8000 to the Foundation and the organisers of the Thüringen Rundfahrt event will establish the Amy Gillett prize to a team or individual for outstanding fairness and exemplary sportsmanship during the Tour.

People wishing to donate to the Foundation should visit the Cycling Australia website at www.cycling.org.au and follow the links from the home page.

Cycling Australia has also established an email link for people who wish to send condolence messages to the family of Amy Gillett or to pass on their thoughts and wishes to those injured.

Go to www.cycling.org.au and follow the link on the home page. Messages can also be sent via the Australian Sports Commission website www.ausport.gov.au

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