A champion cyclist who suffered serious injuries in a horror road crash nine months ago and feared she’d never ride again returned to action at the weekend when she got in the saddle to seal a spot at the World Championships later this summer.
Christina Mackenzie, 45, was left in agony after being struck by a car during a training ride along the B822, near Kippen, last September.
The time trial specialist was struck by an SUV-type car and also the farming trailer it was towing – leaving her with a shattered pelvis by the road side.
The driver failed to stop and despite an extensive police investigation, the driver was never traced.
Christina then underwent a gruelling physiotherapy routine in her battle back to fitness.
She was finally able to get back in to competitive action over the weekend after fearing that she’d never be able to ride again.
She travelled south to take part in the Tour of Cambridgeshire, in Peterborough – a two-day event that comprises a road race and a time trial.
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Christina, representing Stirling Bike Club at the event, finished in an impressive fourth place in the time trial over the hilly route in a time of 41.02.
In the road race, she was able to seal an impressive fifth placed finish in a time of 2:50.49 over the 66-mile course.
That time was enough to secure her a spot in the UCI World Championships road race in Perth this August.
Speaking to the Observer after her weekend heroics, Christina said: “It was just a relief to get back on the bike and back competing.”
Christina, who lives in Cambusbarron but is originally from Stornoway, had set herself the target of competing at the International Island Games, being held in Guernsey in July. She entered the Tour of Cambridgeshire to better prepare herself for the games.
“The plan was to compete at the Island Games and I used this race to get myself ready for it, but to have qualified for the World Championships it amazing. I’m delighted”, she said.
“It’s been nine months since my last race. It was great to be able to enjoy cycling again with friends and get back on the start line.”
In February this year, we told how Christina had been finally able to get back on her bike on city roads for the first time since the collision.
She said: “It was really daunting initially.
“It was a massive thing for me to get back on the road on the bike. At one point I thought I would never ride ever again because I was in so much pain.
“I did have reservations and I even cycled the reverse route and came past where the accident happened.
“To begin with, I just felt twitchy, looking over my shoulders the whole time.”
She didn’t let the injury knock her confidence at the weekend race, as she continues her battle back to full fitness.
She will now head for Perth for the World Championships on August 4.
Meanwhile, the police investigation into the collision that left Christina nursing the horror injuries in ongoing.
Last October, police released a still image of a car towing a trailer and they were keen to speak to the driver as part of their investigation.
A black Ford Ranger towing a silver coloured Ifor Williams trailer was spotted near the location around the time of the collision.
Police say enquires are ongoing.
