Just when the high country town of Bright in Victoria was thronging with its yearly influx of tourists heading to ease the intensity of summer heat by jumping into the cooling waters of local streams, Sarah Gigante could be spotted out on the roads that connect some of the favoured cycling climbs of the region – Mount Buffalo, Tawonga Gap and Falls Creek – finding the ideal terrain to fuel her rebuild.
Still, while the AG Insurance-Soudal rider who broke her femur shortly after the Tour de France Femmes is now out on the roads building on the base of fitness carved out on the trainer, the rebuild is rightly taking priority. As a result, the Australian season will have to wait for another year.
"I feel good both physically and mentally, and it’s really nice to be back riding my bike outside again for already a few weeks now after the past months of rehabilitation indoors," Gigante said in a team statement.
"I’m feeling positive about the progress and excited about what’s ahead, and the plan to kick off my 2026 season in March."
"It’s never easy," said Gigante of missing the opening races of 2026. "Especially because the Australian block is my favourite part of the season. I would have loved to race Nationals, Tour Down Under and Cadel’s, but coming back from injury means you have to respect the process.
"Together with the team and medical staff, we decided it was better to delay my return to competition and focus on being fully ready for the bigger goals later in the year. It was disappointing at first, but I’m confident this patience will pay off and allow me to come back stronger."
"Last season reinforced that, even though the lows of cycling can be very harsh, with great support it’s more than possible to overcome the hard times and enjoy far sweeter ones that make the sacrifices worth it," concluded Gigante.
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