Injuries won’t stop Stransky and Mclean
DESPITE suffering broken bones in two separate incidents, Springbok legend Joel Stransky and former professional cyclist Andrew Mclean are still set to take part in the PwC Great Zuurberg Trek mountain bike race outside Port Elizabeth in May.
Mclean is nursing a broken collarbone after a nasty fall that forced him to withdraw from this year’s Cape Epic, while Stransky was admitted to hospital with a broken rib and punctured lung after crashing on the prologue of the Epic on Sunday.
“I’m planning on participating in the Great Zuurberg Trek,” Mclean said yesterday.
“It is one of my favourite races and I should be back on my bike in a week or two.”
He said he had not even considered the fact that Stransky might not be able to partner him in the Eastern Cape event, in which they placed third last year.
“Joel would kill me if he thought I was considering trading him in for a younger model,” Mclean joked.
He said that he was very confident that they would be fighting fit for the tough, three-day race in the Sundays River Valley and Addo Elephant National Park.
“Knowing Joel, the minute he can get on the indoor trainer, he’ll be back into training and we should be there,” Mclean said.
“Our position last year wasn’t too bad for two old men. This year we’ll aim to do the same, if not better.
“Joel and myself are very competitive and both relish the fact that, in mountain biking, we are able to compete with some of the younger riders.” Mclean said that while he planned on returning to training as soon as possible, his injury was taking longer than usual to heal.
“When I’ve broken a collarbone in the past I’ve had it plated, which speeds up the recovery and rehabilitation process.
“However, with this break, doctors didn’t want to plate it, so I’ve had to allow it to grow back, which takes more time.
“Having said that, it’s feeling a lot better and I hope to be back on the indoor trainer within a week.”
The PwC Great Zuurberg Trek, which is based at the Zuurberg Mountain Village outside Port Elizabeth, takes place from May 26 to 28.
Visit www.greatzuurbergtrek.co.za for more information.
Our position last year wasn’t too bad for two old men