CHAMPION Bathurst cyclist Mark Renshaw will miss the start of the European season after fracturing his pelvis in a crash while training on Saturday.
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The Western Advocate understands Renshaw was involved in a collision with a car near the intersection of George and Howick streets in the Bathurst CBD.
In a post on their website, Renshaw’s European team Dimension Data confirmed a fracture of his left pelvis that was expected to keep him out of racing for up to four months.
However, Renshaw would not require surgery, head of medical Dr Helge Riepenhoff said.
Renshaw, who re-signed with Dimension Data in October, has been training in Bathurst since the team’s recent annual training camp in Cape Town and was set to get his season under way at the Australian National Road Championships in early January.
Speaking from his hospital bed, Renshaw told Dimension Data: “I was heading back out on the road for the final two hours of my five hour training ride and as I entered the roundabout the car looked like it was going to stop. I assume the driver didn’t see me and I hit the front right of the car and flew over the bonnet, landing heavily on my pelvis.
“I’m not sure if the impact with the car or the ground caused my injuries but it was definitely a scary moment as you now realise it could have been much worse.
“I’m devastated that my pre-season training will be hampered as I was planning a big start to 2019.
“I returned from our training camp super motivated for next season and I was already into serious training for January’s racing. It’s gutting to have another set-back but, as hospital staff have told me, it could have been much worse than what is was.”
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Renshaw has been with Team Dimension Data since 2016 and has established a reputation as one of the world’s best “lead out” riders.
He has formed a formidable partnership with Dimension Data sprint star Mark Cavendish since the pair first worked together at Team Columbia High-Road for several years from 2008.
Renshaw has competed 10 times in the Tour de France, the world’s premier cycling event.
