Injuries marred Megan Guarnier's 2017 season, but the former US national champion and Boels Dolmans rider is now healthy, motivated and looking for consolidation this season.
Despite being sidelined for seven weeks by an early-season concussion, Guarnier began September’s World Championships road race as one of the favourites. Hiding near the front of the peloton, with over half the 158km race behind her, she had been invisible. However, the moment she crashed descending Bergen’s Salmon Hill, she knew her challenge for the world title was over.
"I immediately got on the radio and said 'It's Megan, I crashed, and I broke my jaw'," Guarnier told Cyclingnews. “Then I realised what I said, and I thought, 'you're talking, you can't talk well, but you're talking, it's just a broken tooth that's why you can't close your mouth.
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"I was trying to rationalise it. I didn't want to get in the ambulance because that was the end of my race. I had a trip planned with my Mom to Rome, and I thought if I get into this ambulance this is all over. But the doctor looked at me, and I guess it was kind of hanging there."
The break and displacement were one of the worst her doctors had seen, and she continues to suffer from the injury five months later. Chewing food is not easy, she wears a mouth guard at night to deal with spasms, and just pushing her lower jaw forward is a success. She admits, however, it could easily have been much worse.
"I'm lucky it wasn't my head again, and I'm lucky I didn't break both sides, and I'm lucky I still have my teeth. What was worst about it was I came in after a tough start to the season, building back up, getting my fitness and I hit everything perfect for that day.
You can read more at Cyclingnews.com
via Cyclingnews Latest News http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/guarnier-piecing-together-spring-campaign-after-injury-marred-2017
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