Gracie Elvin rues tumble as she jumps back in saddle for women's road race

GRACIE Elvin was still feeling the pain as she took to Twitter to lament her crash in the criterium at the road cycling national championships.

Gracie Elvin, celebrating winning the women's road race at last year's Australian Championships, is back again t...

GRACIE Elvin was still feeling the pain as she took to Twitter to lament her crash early in the criterium at the road cycling national championships on Thursday night.

At least a shower after a crash makes you feel better ... said no-one ever. #stings

She also posted a picture of her racing knicks, ripped open by the high-speed contact with the asphalt.

"A bit embarrassing," she laughed yesterday, relieved that she was unhurt except for a bit of lost skin.

It's not the first time Elvin, 25, has hit the deck in Ballarat, where the championships will resume today with the women's road race - but last year it was long after the race was over.

After surprising herself by winning the national title, she and the other placegetters indulged in the traditional champagne spray on the podium.

At least a shower after a crash makes you feel better... Said no one ever. #stings

— Gracie Elvin (@gracieelvin) January 9, 2014

But the spilt fizz made the floor of the dais wet and she slipped and fell heavily as she tried to leave, almost breaking her arm.

"I've been cycling for 10 years and have had a fair few falls, resulting in a couple of visits to hospital - but luckily, nothing too serious," she said.

Elvin couldn't have timed last year's win better, having joined Orica-GreenEDGE's women's team, Orica-AIS, 12 days earlier.

She was supposed to be riding support for senior teammates Tiffany Cromwell, Shara Gillow and Amanda Spratt, but found herself best-placed to catch the leaders near the ­finish line, which she did.

"I didn't expect to win - I had to pinch myself for a few days," she said yesterday.

Elvin followed up with a strong performance at the Tour of Qatar and then spent the northern summer in Europe helping the team collect the No. 1 world ranking.

Because she was wearing the national champion's green and gold stripes, she was watched more closely by the opposition, a level of respect that was gratifying.

But she readily admits she is still "trying to find my feet" on the world stage, with the European spring classics and then, hopefully, the Commonwealth Games the big goals for 2014.

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Twitter: @Reedrw