Graham returns to the coast for inspiration

Lorian Graham to visit National Road Cycling Championships

Another step in the Australian's recovery after the 2005 accident in Germany

Event Media Release

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Former Australian Champion Lorian Graham will return to this year’s National Road Cycling Championships for further inspiration on her roller-coaster road to recovery.

Graham is finally back on her bike after enduring five operations and months of intense physiotherapy during the past year.  

Graham was one of five cyclists whose lives and bodies were shattered when hit by a runaway car in Thüringen, Germany, in July last year. Team-mate and good friend Amy Gillett was killed.

“The National Roads was where it all started for me and I will be coming up to watch this year although it’s still too soon to even consider returning to competition,” said Graham.

For Graham it’s just about returning to a normal life and being able to cycle again on the open road instead of a stationary bike she has been using to keep up her fitness.

“It’s just so good to feel the wind and sun on my face again and reignite my passion for cycling,” said Graham after a photo shoot this week.

“I’ve been doing a bit of promotion this week for the Portfolio Partners South Bank to Surfers Paradise ride, known as Amy’s Ride coming up in December to raise funds for the Amy Gillett Foundation.”

Louise Yaxely, one of the five injured girls will also be making an appearance at this year’s National Road Cycling Championships.

Yaxely recently returned to Germany to mark the 12-month anniversary of the accident. A number of activities were organised to mark the date.

The National Road Cycling Championships will showcase some of Australia ’s best cycling talent throughout the program from Sunday 3 – Sunday 10 September and takes in the beautiful surrounds of Queensland ’s Sunshine Coast . The 10-day event doubles as the Cycling Australia Australia’s official National Club Road Cycling Championships for junior divisions and the addition of the National Teams Championships open to all elite sponsored teams and clubs.

Since it’s inception back in 2001 the National Road Cycling Championships has experienced growth not only in the extension of the program from 6 days to the 10 day cycling festival now offered but has played a vital role in unearthing and nurturing our cycling superstars of the future by providing a national competition on first class courses in one of Australia’s favourite tourist destinations.  

The courses for the 2006 National Road Cycling Championships are breath taking; competitors will tackle the tough hill climbs of Yandina, the fast flowing criterium circuit at Currimundi for juniors and Mooloolaba’s stunning beachside esplanade the venue for the elite criterium. A new time trial course in the Yarramundi/Yandina area will undoubtedly be one of the best in the country as it forms part of a new motorway providing a smooth and very fast course.  

The event is an initiative by USM Events in conjunction with Cycling Australia aimed at providing Cycling Australia members with an opportunity to represent their club at a national event. The Championship events are open to members of all cycling clubs affiliated with Cycling Australia and with the addition of the new events in 2006 allowing non-licensed competitors to participate in their own event as part of the Championships