Trixi Worrack is tough: ‘Fortunately, you are born with two kidneys’
After losing a kidney in the Trofeo Alfredo Binda race in March, Trixi Worrack is set to complete a remarkable return to pro racing in Germany.
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Trixi Worrack is back in action after losing a kidney as a result of a serious crash at the Trofeo Alfredo Binda Women’s WorldTour event earlier this year. The veteran German racer will join a strong Canyon – SRAM team this weekend at the Auensteiner Radsporttage tour in Germany.
The two-day tour provides the ideal start for Worrack’s return. The German national road champion said, “I think if I’m going to start somewhere then this is ideal, and it’s nice to race in Germany. I feel ready to race. I am a bit nervous of course because even if in training I’m feeling okay, I still am not sure how I will go and exactly how my body will react to the racing. But I am ready.”
Worrack’s crash, which happened in March, sent her to the hospital where she underwent emergency surgery to remove her left kidney. But less than one week after surgery, the 34-year-old declared her intention to return to racing. “Fortunately, you are born with two kidneys, and I can continue after losing one. If I was afraid of getting back on a bike, it would be wrong to aim for a return in pro cycling. But I’m not,” Worrack told German media Radsport news.
Worrack has been training for the past two weeks, including intensity and interval efforts. “In training I feel good most days. When I’m at maximum efforts on climbs, then it can be uncomfortable in my side but otherwise there’s no problem … I’ve been given the all-clear medically to race and I’m looking forward to it. The doctors are interested to see how I react to the racing and I’ll have tests afterwards to monitor my recovery.”
Worrack will join Canyon – SRAM riders Lisa Brennauer, Mieke Kröger, Hannah Barnes and Barbara Guarischi for the Auensteiner Radsporttage tour and when asked for her prediction for the race result this weekend, Worrack swiftly replied, “We try to win!”
