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(life)

tragedy
Cyclist Rochelle Gilmore, 30, was pedalling at 60km an hour when her handlebars locked with another rider. In the next instant, her life changed in ways no one could imagine. She tells Katie Ekberg her remarkable story.
ime has passed, but just thinking about what happened to me in July 2011 is dramatic. I was competing in the Giro dItalia (one of the major womens road cycling races), in Verona, Italy. I was just a few hundred metres from the finish line when my handlebars locked with those of another rider. We both came down with 20 or 30 women tumbling on top of us. It was chaotic, with riders and bikes everywhere, and everyone picking themselves up, but I didnt get up and jump out of the way as quickly as I normally do after a crash. I crossed the finishing line you have to do that if you want a chance of continuing the race the next day. Thats the first thing

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suffered a fractured pelvis, as well as severe concussion, fractured vertebra and three broken ribs.] They would not do an MRI or CT scan on my hip, because they said there was too much swelling and that it would probably go down, and I would be able to walk in about 48 hours. But I was really concerned and kept saying, The problem right now is that I cannot walk. Cycling is my passion. I love it. No other sport is as beautiful. I ride my bike for three to four incredible hours every day, and, in that 100 kilometres, I experience the most amazing scenery, go at high speed, descending with the fresh air in my face. When I was 13, I received a letter from a talent coach who identified me as having potential as a future Olympic triathlete. [Rochelle had been BMX racing from age three; a junior national gymnast; and also trained in athletics, cross-country, swimming, surf lifesaving, tennis and netball.] But I chose cycling, and I am extremely glad I did. After my mother Delwyn and father Leslie split up, I went to live with my late grandmother, Wynette Bainbridge, and grandfather Laurence, in Helensburgh [a suburb south of Sydney] when I was eight. Mums work [as a lawyer] meant it wasnt feasible for her to live near the school, but I saw her on weekends. My grandmother taught me to be a good person and treat people well. In my mind, before and during a race, I talk to my grandmother and wear her cross around my neck. I lived with my grandparents until I was 15, when I began my cycling career, and at 17 I went overseas to train and compete. My mum, who lives in Dubai with my stepfather David, was in Italy at the time of my accident, and at my house when I was sent home. She planned to stay a couple of days, but ended up staying for two months. I didnt feel the concussion until 24-48 hours after the accident. I got a really big scare and thought I was going to die. I said to Mum, Help me, help, I dont know whats happening Ive broken several ribs before and you can still race, although its extremely painful, and the vertebra had a slight fracture, which is not dangerous or unstable either. If you keep exercising it does take longer to heal, but wont do the body any harm. But I hadnt broken my pelvis before. I waited the two days as prescribed by the hospital doctor, and then tried to take a step. I couldnt even put my big toe on the ground it hurt so much, and I am pretty good with pain.

CyClInG IS my paSSIon. I love It. no otheR SpoRt IS aS beautIful. I RIde my bIke foR thRee to fouR houRS eveRy day.

Rochelle won a gold medal at the Commonwealth Games in 2010 and hopes to repeat her success at the 2012 Olympics.

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getty images. maccoll photography.

I thouGht I waS GoInG to dIe. I SaId to mum, help me I dont know whatS happenInG.

were trained to do. Then I looked for the team car, and made my way over to it. I was in a bit of a daze, and sat down on some chairs the team had put out. When I stood up, I couldnt walk, and had to be carried to the car. I just thought it was stiffness. When adrenalin is pumping through your body you dont feel very much. None of my team had seen what had just happened, but at the hospital they found little dots on my back where a chain ring, which the bicycle chain is wrapped around, had dug into my back when someone ran over me. That night, I was in extreme pain and I had to sleep strapped onto a hard board, unable to move, wearing a neck brace. But I had been misdiagnosed in hospital because they focussed so much on my back. [Rochelle had actually

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maccoll photography. getty images.

a doCtoR Came RunnInG out CRyInG Stop! dont tRy to walk. you have a pelvIC fRaCtuRe.

This went on for four or five days, until eventually Mum took me to the hospital and demanded they do a scan. A doctor suddenly came running out to us, crying, Whoah! Stop, dont try to walk, you have a serious pelvic fracture. For almost two months, Mum and I were totally alone together up in the mountains. My house is on a pass, the Passo Cerado, on a remote mountaintop in the Dolomites in northern Italy. To be honest, I cant remember a time since I was seven years old spending that much time with my mum, and it was a new experience for us both. I remember thinking, I dont know how I could possibly do that for somebody, because for 20 days I was not allowed to take any steps. I could only sit, even to

sleep, and I could not move my torso. I had to pee in a bucket. She was my nurse. A couple of times, Mum asked if she could go for a walk outside, but because I was 100 per cent useless and so dependent on her, I was frightened of her even leaving my side. I couldnt eat much, but she became the worlds best omelette maker! It was a real bonding time for us, especially when I got Mum who doesnt watch much TV to watch the entire Underbelly series on DVD with me in the afternoons. I have so many memories of the time Mum and I spent together, but one in particular stands out. When the 20 days of immobilisation were over and the 20 days of rehab had begun, I was learning to walk in water and to ride on my bike, before I was allowed to walk on the ground. Mum

is not athletic, but agreed to hire one of the electronic bikes, so she could accompany me around the lake on my first ride. For someone who isnt at all sporty, it was a big challenge and I was so proud of her. I asked Mum if I ever got depressed during my rehab and she said, Maybe grumpy a few times, but you stayed amazingly positive. And I guess when I got bad medical news I pretty much ignored it. When I was searching for different medical opinions, one specialist said it would take six months to ride again. I just thought, Well see about that. [Rochelle was back in the saddle in one month.] When I look back on the accident, even though it took me a while to comprehend what had actually happened to me, it never entered my mind whether I would walk or cycle again. As soon as I knew the severity of my injuries, I was determined to do everything possible to get back on my bike. In a way, I really feel that the accident has made me stronger because I put every effort into fine-tuning every part of my body, both mental and physical, and not neglect anything. I also learned not to push myself so hard. I have been a professional cyclist for abour 10 years and in the first five or six years serious injury never entered my mind. It was a no fear thing just go 100 per cent, no matter what! Its different now. Sometimes, when the race is not a really important one, I wont take any risks. But when the race is a big one, injury doesnt even enter my mind; I go for victory. Earlier this year, when I returned to Europe, I got a chest infection, so I took myself to the hospital and told the doctors not to let me leave until I had fully recovered. I forced myself to rest. Before my accident, I would have been back in the saddle as quickly as possible, sick or not. I really feel I am coming into my strongest years now and every time I challenge myself to a tougher race, I feel Im lifting up to a new level of physical performance. I have the best sporting job in the world. And unlike many other sports, I actually get paid as a professional on a two- or three-year contract, regardless of performances. There is just no other sport like it. There are a lot of people around me who contribute to my performances, but I lead quite a solitary life and Im single. Once I had a life plan to retire at 34, fall in love and start a family, but what if I hadnt won an Olympic medal by then? There is always time for love and family, and its definitely on the agenda. For now, Im focussed on chasing a dream. n

THE BEST DAY OF MY LIFE

thats easy, says a smiling rochelle, Winning a commonwealth games gold medal. i tried over 10 years silver 2002, silver 2006 and then, in 2010, i finally achieved it for me and for my family. at time of going to press, rochelle had been selected for the 2012 olympic shadow team, of which three members will be chosen to ride for australia as part of the official olympic cycling team.

AT TOP SPEED

pro-cyclists can travel between 40-100kms per hour (kph), depending on whether they are sprinting or cycling downhill. rochelle was sprinting at 60kph when she crashed. Compare that to some of the fastest animals and humans on the planet. Cathy Freeman: at the sydney 2000 olympics ran 400m in 48.63 seconds, an average of 30kph. raCehorse: averages 60kph (Black caviars top speed is 70.1kph). Kangaroo: can reach speeds of 70kph. greyhound: Up to 75kph. Lions: hunt at 80kph. doWnhiLL sKiers: can reach speeds between 120-150kph.

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