Injury Sidelines Alise Post For UCI Worlds
UPDATED 8:00PM, EDT, July 24:
Alise Post called this morning to let us know that, due to injuries suffered in a crash at the Olympic Training Center/Chula Vista on Thursday, she would not be making the trip to Copenhagen, Denmark for the UCI BMX World Championships.
Of the Thursday accident, Alise said, in an email to sponsors and select media:
“I thought I had just hyper-extended my (right) knee since I am still pretty mobile, but an MRI revealed something a bit more serious….I will be meeting with an orthopedic surgeon on Monday to discuss options and what needs to be done”
“I was feeling so strong leading into this World Championships and end of the season, and I am devastated to have to bring you this news. I was finally back from my last leg injury and at 100%, winning races and feeling stronger than ever….I am going to keep a positive attitude, and will put all my energy into healing quick, and to coming back stronger than before, just like last time.”
Above, Alise alluded to a similar setback on the eve of the ABA Grands last year, when she was locked in a neck-and-neck title battle with Dom Daniels. The resulting ankle injury took her out of the game for about four months, with the Winternationals in March being her first race back. This time, it appears the recovery will be about six months–putting her return at about Feb 1.
Obviously, all eyes are on the Olympic qualifying calendar for 2012. Pure speculation on our part, as it is so early in the process, but it’s safe to say she is out for the London SX next month and the Chula Vista SX in September. The next UCI World Cup event on the calendar is February 24, 2012 (Location TBA). So that could be a potential re-entry point in the Olympic qualifying hunt. With a short season in 2012 (the Worlds are in Birmingham, England on May 27), the runway is very short before the Team USA selections are finalized in June.
Still, if anyone can do it, she can…and we’ll be bringing you regular updates on her progress.
See the BMX News Story: “2012 USA Olympic Qualifying Criteria Announced”
In a release issued by USA Cycling Sunday Morning, BMX Program Director, Mike King said:
“Obviously this is horrible news but I feel confident that we have three girls who will step up to the challenge,” said USA Cycling BMX Programs Director Mike King of the U.S. team’s chances at the pending world championships. “Alise is a strong competitor and we expect to see her back in the saddle soon.”
Alise was on the funded team roster for the London SX next month. King told News in a Sunday Email exchange that a decision on a replacement for her spot, if any, will be made and announced after the World Championships.
UPDATE:
Reached Sunday afternoon, via email, Chuck Hooper, President of Seattle Bike Supply (who owns the Redline brand) sent the following to News
Our hearts are out for Alise… We spoke on Saturday and, obviously, this is a very tough situation for her. She is a very strong competitor and a dedicated athlete. It was, to say the least, an emotional conversation. We both agreed the best thing is to remain positive and wait till she is thoroughly-checked by a specialist to determine the best course of action.
Mentally and physically, Alise will have a better chance than most to have a good recovery. All of us are “pulling for her.” We all know how hard she worked coming back from her last injury and we are very proud of her, and all her accomplishments and the contributions she makes to our sport. We hope she does equally-well coming back from this setback.
BMX News joins Chuck in his sentiments, and wishes Alise a safe, effective and speedy recovery. Keep on eye on BMX News for more on this story.
