Determined BMX star gears up for Rio
Lauren Reynolds has a new coach, a new knee and a new outlook. It has been a whirlwind year for the Bunbury Olympian who revelled in the ecstasy of finishing second at the World Championships before the agony of a season-ending injury.
Reynolds, 22, tore the anterior cruciate ligament in her right knee at a competition in California a fortnight ago.
The serious injury forced her to return to Australia for reconstructive surgery which could have kept her off the bike for months.
Not Reynolds – she was walking on the joint just three days after going under the knife and plans to start riding again next week.
She says the frustrating mid-air collision in Fresno, California “should never have happened” but her recovery could have a silver lining.
“Olympic selection stuff comes around next year so this will be a really good break to get refreshed and motivated and hungry for that,” she said.
“I’m really not going to be out for long. I’m not going to miss any major races.
“I’ve had a pretty good year so I’m really positive about it now.”
The crash came about a month after Reynolds made the tough decision to change coach.
She had been under the tutelage of national BMX head coach Wade Bootes but is now prepared to race by Sean Dwight.
Despite finishing second at the World Championships in Auckland in July, Reynolds said she had been feeling flat.
“I had been with the Australian head coach, which is part of the whole team program and what you’re meant to do,” she said.
“The first two years were good. I learnt a lot of the basics and a few life skills.
“But looking back, my Olympic campaign ended up being a lot tougher for me than what I believe it should have been. It just wasn’t working for me.”
In another exciting development for the sport’s South West pin-up girl, Reynolds has decided to launch her own line of T-shirts.
“I know I’ve got plenty of fans that make contact with me on social media and stuff so I want to give them a little something,” she said.
Pre-orders are available online at www.laurenreynolds.com and on Facebook.
