Fiona Mangan is recovering from double surgery after her crash at Omloop Nieuwsblad (1.WWT), saying she was left stunned by the timing and nature of the incident.
However, while the Irish TT and road race champion has in recent days taken her first road spin since the incident three weeks ago, she told stickybottle the injuries were painful and would need more time to heal.
TV images on the day showed the Winspace Orange Seal Irish champion trying to pick herself up having crashed and, unusually, with the saddle off her bike. She said she was still not sure what had happened on the day.
"It could have been due to the cobbles that my saddle loosened and slipped off," she said. "I lost control of the bike causing me to go off track into the ditch, but honestly I can't remember.
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"Obviously I was quite pissed off and kind of in disbelief that it happened at my first big classic after preparing myself for a big spring. But it’s also just part of this sport. I guess we all go through different setbacks in life so I can’t feel too sorry for myself.
"I had surgery on both my hand and collarbone and I’m back training but not sure yet about racing. My hand is quite sensitive at the moment, with the road vibrations and gripping in general.
"So it’s hard to know exactly when I’ll be back, but I’m pretty positive that it will heal OK and hopefully I can race at some stage in April."
Mangan is in her first year with her new French ProConti team, having ridden for Continental squads Cynisca Cycling, Soltec Team and IBCT in recent years. As her new team is registered in a higher tier of the sport, it has access to bigger races.
Though the crash is a set-back for her, especially in a season of bigger opportunities, the Irish champion has time on her side to recover and get back into the mix in the weeks and months ahead.
