22 January 2013 |
Nikki Harris has withdrawn from the GB Cycling Team for the forthcoming Cyclo Cross World Championships in Kentucky, due to injury.
Harris said: “I've had some issues with my knee over the past few weeks after I hit it on the handlebars at the Zolder World Cup. I managed to mask the pain for a few weeks and hoped it would recover and I could finish my season strongly as I had planned. After an appointment with the specialist today we learned that the injury has now worsened and I have an acute tear in some tissue on my patella. Due to this I will unfortunately have to draw a close to my season immediately and take some rest. After a few weeks we can re evaluate how things are going and decide If surgery is necessary or not.
“It's obviously a huge disappointment to me, my team and British Cycling that I won't be able to take part in the up-and-coming world championships in Louisville and the remainder of the cyclo cross season. However, I have to take the positives from my season so far. I finished 3rd in the World Cup overall standings, I won five races had 14 podium places and of course my biggest goal of the year in winning the nationals. So I guess it could be a lot worse. Time is on my side and I have the time now to let my body recover.”
The team will not be calling up a replacement and will continue with the current squad for next weekend’s action in Kentucky.
