More tributes to Amy Gillett - part 4

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Since the tragic news broke Tuesday morning of the death of Amy Gillett in a crash that also injured all five of her Australian cycling team-mates we have been inundated with messages of support and sympathy from all over the world. More than anything, this brings home that cycling is a global community and the loss of one of us touches us all. Cyclingnews is honoured and humbled to be able to provide a platform for everyone's feelings. More tributes from around the world: Parts 1, 2, 3, 4 & 5.

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Joe McCullagh, AIS Physiology Department, Canberra: Through my position at the Australian Institute of Sport Physiology Department I had the pleasure of meeting and working with Amy, Louise, Alex, Lorian, and Katie Brown, all of whom were involved in the tragic accident in Germany. My condolences go out to the Gillett family for their loss. Amy was an amazing person, super friendly, energetic, vibrant, and it was plain to see her drive and dedication towards her chosen sport. Although these words may be of little comfort, at least she died doing something that she loved, and it comes as no surprise that she was taking the lead and inspiring her teammates to push harder at the time of the accident.

Lastly, I would like to offer special support to Louise, who is at this time still fighting for her life in Germany. Louise and I attended university together in Tasmania, and had many conversations while the cycling team was staying here at the AIS. You are one of the sweetest girls I have ever met, and I will never forget you bringing me dessert to make my time a little more pleasurable while staying up all night on altitude house monitoring duty. I only wish that there is some way that I could return the favour. I just wanted you to know that I am thinking about you, and I wish you, and all the girls, a full and speedy recovery.

Michael & Katie Knight: Every one of these girls are an inspiration to all Aussie cyclists, they are riders who all our young girls look up to and admire. Their strength, talent, dedication, ethics and achievements are the foundation of australian cycling. Taken in such tragic circumstances,we are deeply saddened by the loss of amy, our thoughts are with simon and amy's family at such a hard time. Our prayers and well wishes also to the girls who remain in hospital, stay strong and keep fighting, we are all behind you. Best wishes for a fast recovery.

Darrell Llewellyn McCulloch (former AIS and National women's team mechanic) and Tania Shipton (former AIS resident and employee): Nothing can be changed now, words cannot repair this tragedy. All we can hope for and wish is that the riders, the rider's family, and team support staff involved in this terrible tragedy can heal physically and emotionally as swiftly as can be expected and move on to rewarding and fruitful lives. This will be understandably very difficult and the healing will never be totally complete.

Meredith Miller, Team S.A.T.S, Metz, France: My sincerest sympathies to Amy's family, friends and husband. Amy was such a terrific woman and athlete. Her smile and happiness were infectious. She was such a joy to be around and I am privileged to say that I had the opportunity of knowing her and riding alongside her at many races. I have lasting memories of her from this year's Tour de l'Aude that I will always treasure.

Katie - You're a gutsy fighter, and I know that with the support of all your family and friends you will get through this and come out on top. Stay strong mate.
Alexis - I don't know you so well but, from our brief conversations I know that you are an inspiration and an awesome chick - a country chick at that. I'm praying hard that you'll pull through this with flying colours.
Kate and Lorian - I don't know at all, but I'm barracking for you too. Get well soon guys. I wish you all a speedy recovery.
To the other Australians and the National Team's Staff, especially Emma, Jenny, Rochelle, Kate and Nat. Stay strong girls, my thoughts and prayers are with you all.

Andrew Logan, National/AIS women's cycling coach 1993-97: When I learnt of the accident in the early hours of Tuesday morning I was in total shock. Although it has been some time since my years as coach with the Australian women's cycling team, I have previously travelled the roads of Thuringen, been in local hospital with injured athletes, Wazza was a scholarship coach in our program and Kate Nichols, I have known since birth.

This accident evokes my memories of the untimely death of Darren Smith, a Barcelona Olympian and AIS scholarship holder. I listened to the words of Robbie (at the tour) and how he felt - he then, lost his best mate; how has this affected him? And now, once again, such devastation. We in sport and as coaches live, travel and work with athletes to aspire to achieve their dreams and vision. They become one of us - extended family. It is difficult to comprehend, to come to grips with the taking of life and such talented life away from us. My wholehearted sympathy to the family and friends of Amy and to all the athletes and staff, I wish all the best. Be strong and fight your way back.

Zoe Southwell: I am still stunned and shocked at this tragic event. The enormity of what has happened is too much to comprehend, one of the saddest days for cycling. Firstly I would like to offer my deepest sympathies to the Gillett and Safe families and all the friends of Amy. I never met Amy, but I raced with her on many an occasion and I what I will remember most about her is that huge beautiful smile of hers - every time you saw her, there was that smile. You will be missed by many people Amy, may you rest in peace Amy."

Being a female road cyclist myself I look up to them and their fantastic efforts. They inspire me to better myself and the pain I suffer on the hills whilst racing is now nothing compared to the pain all those who knew and loved Amy so well must be feeling and will forever do so. To Lorian, Katie, Alexis, Kath and Louise my thoughts and prayers are with you and also to your coach Warren McDonald, who witnessed the tragedy - we are thinking of him too.

Until Monday myself and eight other members of the National Team lived and trained together in Italy, we are all close friends and have shared hours of fun and laughter. As one of the three girls not on that training ride it's been hard to come to grips with the horrific and unexpected tragedy. I wish I could have been there for you all on the day and still be holding your hands now. We've been flown back to Australia but our thoughts and prayers have stayed with you; you're all such strong girls and have so many people around to support and love you. We will all get though this. As Wazza always told us, safety in numbers…stay positive and strong.

Dave Lloyd, Cycle coach and ex-Professional cyclist, UK: It was at the Magali Pache that I met Amy, where I was looking after Wendy Houvenaghel. We met her and the rest of the Australian girls at the presentation before the race. I was impressed by the team, the manager, Warren McDonald and the whole Australian set up over in Italy. The team morale was BRILLIANT and Warren was very helpful to me at the race. We had a chat with the girls at the presentation and Amy was bright, amusing and like all Australians, a WINNER.

I am devastated by this news and I wonder how long it takes for people to realise that vehicles in the wrong hands are LETHAL. I am not religious, but I feel SO sorry for all involved in this tragedy, especially Warren, who was following the girls at the time. Also, the other girls who are still in hospital and all their families - words are useless, I know, but I feel so sorry for Amy's family and all the others concerned, and just hope the injured girls will fight on and my thoughts are with them.

Andrew Beacroft: I first heard the news of the accident and death of Amy Gillett on the internet and felt my heart sink. Not only have we lost another shining role model for the sport of cycling, but we have also lost a person who found humour and zest in everything she did. Australia may not be as big a cycling community as there is in Europe but I am sure of one thing. We more than make up for it in heart and it has hit us all hard.

Louise and I are very good friends; I first met her when I started cycling in 1999, and since then our friendship has grown over the years. She has got a heart of gold, and would do anything for you.
Louise, on this day last year, was on top of the world, enjoying a nice Belgian beer in the centre of Gent, watching the world go by.
I know you're a fighter Lou; you'll get though this, I know you will, and then we can have that nice cold beer again.

Stu Sanders, Ballarat: Deepest sympathies to Amy's husband Simon, family and closest friends, training and racing partners, coaches and staff from AIS. An unbelievable tragedy. We ride the roads knowing the dangers and accepting them because of our love for the sport. Amy loved this sport. Motorist's worldwide need to be educated about the rights a cyclist has in everyday cycling and during racing at such a high level. Let's start to educate them about us. This kind of thing should never happen to one so great. She will be sadly missed.

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