US rider Amber Rais has suffered a fractured pelvis while out training with the national team on the eve of the Ladies Tour of Qatar. She is currently in hospital in Doha, the Middle Eastern country’s capital, but hopes to return to her home in Austria soon.
“We were doing a training ride yesterday,” Rais told VeloNation, “and I hit a Botts' dot [Cat's eye - Ed] wrong and dumped it. Kat Carroll went down too, but she popped right up. I did not. [The] CT scan showed a fracture in the lateral pubus ramus, which explained the excruciating pain.
“The care here has been outstanding,” she continued, “the head of the Qatar Cycling Federation stayed with me in the ER and was so kind. The food is excellent and features some very tasty local cuisine, which I love.
"The nurses and docs are wonderful, and I've been overwhelmed with gratitude for the outpouring of messages and well wishes from everyone back home in Austria and the US. The Qatar Cycling Federation just brought an enormous bouquet for me, and wanted to be sure I was comfortable. I'm feeling better and better and hope to be able to walk and be discharged soon.”
After two years racing for Team Tibco, Rais signed for Austrian team Kuota Speed Kueens (formerly Team Uniqa Elk) for 2010, hoping that her presence in the European peloton will inspire other riders back home. (Rais is one of very few American riders to be registered for teams outside the US).
“One of my goals re: racing in Europe is to maintain a presence in the US cycling community,” she said, “so others can connect with what I'm doing, share the journey, and hopefully learn from my experiences or otherwise find value therein.”
There is currently no word on whether Rais’ position in the US team for the Tour of Qatar will be taken by another rider. The race starts today with a 103.5km stage between the Museum of Islamic Art and Al Khor Corniche.