January in Ballarat meant cycling was back in town!
Each year the best of Australia’s cycling community come to Ballarat for the Federation University Australian Road Cycling Nationals. Over five days of competition, National titles are decided for time trials, criterium and road races, from Under 19, Under 23, elite and Masters levels.
Our Sports Medicine team has been the official medical provider for the “RoadNats” for the past 5 years, and spent the week by the side of the road and in the Race Doctor’s car.
Racing at this level is fast and furious, and has the potential to cause serious injuries from falls. The most common injuries are grazes, scrapes and bruises, but fractures of clavicles, wrists, arms, legs and hips do occur. Concussion and head injuries are also common. Add to that the ‘changeable’ weather in Ballarat, and both heat and cold can be a problem, plus the sheer exertion of riders pushing themselves to the limit.
Thankfully this year there were very few incidents, and the team enjoyed watching fantastic racing in perfect weather.
Elite basketball came to Ballarat too!
For the month of January, the Perth Lynx WNBL team was based in Ballarat. The WNBL is Australia’s premier women’s basketball competition, with Australian and international representative players in every team.
While the Lynx are here they are training and playing home games at the new Ballarat Sports and Exhibition Centre. As the local Sports Medicine specialists, we are proud to provide them with Sports Medicine support both on and off court.
