South African fully recovered from hip operation
John Lee Augustyn (Sky Procycling) has made a successful recovery from an operation that has seen him sidelined for the season so far. The operation known as Birmingham Hip Resurfacing took place in March and he’s undergone a strict rehabilitation program to see him gain full strength on the bike.
“I am back up to normal training again…every day is specifically worked out for building and recovery,” he told VeloNation from his home in Italy.
“The recovery has been going really good and as planned. It’s been a long process but everything takes time and patience.
“After the operation I thought it’s almost impossible to start walking and riding properly again. We have done everything step by step…now I am back to walking normal and can do most of my full range motion again.”
The hip resurfacing operation was due to a crash he suffered in 2007 in the Tour of Portugal where he broke his femur. This year doctors discovered the head of the femur was crumbling and needed replacing.
Augustyn had to spend six weeks off the bike then started training slowly with a strict rehabilitation program from his doctor.
He was meant to start Volta ao Algarve in February as his first race of the season but could hardly walk in the days leading up to the race. Up until now he’s been forced to watch his teammates race from the sidelines.
The 24 year old is now in talks with Team Sky on finalizing a racing program for the rest of the year. It was said that he’d line up for the San Sebastián Classic on Saturday but the team felt it was too hard a race so early on.
“We have put down races I am aiming for and for now I am on reserve for most races. We will see how I feel and if everything goes well in the races, then that’s good to take it to the next step.”
In excitement the talented climber added, “on the long rides I am really getting much more comfortable and much stronger with the endurance. I can also sit much longer on the drops and also started with some motor pacing. Now I only need to get the racing fitness up.
“It feels really strange but also nice to have had a little break,” said Augustyn. “I know the first few races I will have to get use to riding in the bunch once more but I really cannot wait to feel that rush and adrenalin again.”