Women’s team pursuit cyclists straight back to training after high-speed crash

TASMANIAN Olympian Amy Cure says it will take a lot more than a bone-jarring training accident to derail the women’s team pursuit riders in their quest for gold.

Melissa Hoskins, left, left the track on a stretcher after the high-speed crash during training. Amy Cure also fell in the incident but is back on the training track already. Picture: AP/Patrick Semansky

THEY are battered and bruised following a bone-jarring training accident but Tasmanian Amy Cure says it will take a lot more than that to derail the women’s team pursuit riders in their quest for gold.

Touted as a serious gold medal chance, the reigning world record holders’ preparations suffered a massive blow yesterday after a high-speed crash in their training session with West Australian Melissa Hoskins forced to hospital.

MORE: CYCLIST IN HOSPITAL AFTER TRACK CRASH

Cure and fellow Tasmanian Georgia Baker were also caught up in the mishap, and suffered some bruises and had some skin taken off, but showed they were made of some tough stuff as the team minus Hoskins returned to their bikes and trained earlier today.

MORE: LIVE COVERAGE OF TODAY’S OLYMPICS ACTION

Officials come to the aid of Melissa Hoskins, left, and Amy Cure after the crash. Picture: AP

“We have been our best when we have been knocked down before, so I think that proves that things are not over yet,” said Cure, who was sporting bandages on her forearms.

“Yesterday we had the crash, but today is a new day. Yes, we all have a few bruises, but mentally we are stronger than we ever have been before.

“We have a medal to win and we are going to give it all. We are going to come out fighting.

“We know we have a job to do and it is far from over yet.”

MORE: ‘BAD LUCK GAMES’ FOR TASMANIANS

Hoskins has been cleared of major injury after undergoing tests in hospital, but there is serious doubt about her place in the team for the competition, which begins on Friday morning Tasmanian time.

Each nation has until one hour prior to the event to change team compositions.

“We are going to take one day at a time, the most important thing is to try to get five of them healthy, whether it is tomorrow or the next day,” Australia’s women’s track endurance head coach Gary Sutton added.

“Right at this moment, it is day to day for Mel.

“But I believe that she will be ready at some stage, whether it be the first round or the second round we will just wait and see.”