Trixi Worrack returns to racing this weekend when CANYON//SRAM Racing line up at the Auensteiner Radsporttage tour in Germany. The two day stage race in the area of Heilbronn, Baden-Württemberg starts on Saturday 11 June. It will be the first race for Worrack since rupturing her left kidney in a serious crash at Alfredo Trofeo Binda in Italy just under three months ago.

Following the crash at the UCI Women’s WorldTour race in March, Worrack underwent emergency surgery to remove her left kidney. Less than one week after surgery the 34 year old made her intentions to return to racing clear. “I might have only one kidney now, but I also only have one heart. 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.

The two day tour provides the ideal start for Worrack’s return. The German national road champion said “It’s three stages over two days. The first road stage is just 88km, then a split stage the following day with a 7km time trial in the morning and in the afternoon an 82km stage. 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 has been at full 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 problems. There are a few days where I feel a bit tired but that can be normal in training blocks anyway. 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 be joined by Lisa Brennauer, Mieke Kröger, Hannah Barnes and Barbara Guarischi for a strong CANYON//SRAM Racing roster. “I am really happy to return to racing and to see my team mates again. I had a long time out with injury in the 2013 season but this has been the longest time on the sidelines. I’ve worked hard on my rehabilitation in the last eleven weeks with an intense program of physiotherapy, gym sessions, doctor’s appointments, medical tests, several training tests, nutrition and recovery. I’m ready now,” said Worrack.

When asked for her prediction for the race result this weekend, Worrack swiftly replied “We try to win!”

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