A woman has told of her struggle towards Commonwealth Games selection after she was hit by a double-decker bus.
Gemma Neill, 29, was turning into a junction on her bike in Muirdrum when disaster struck two years ago.
The Inverkeilor woman, a hot prospect for the UK’s road racing team, had begun training for the upcoming Glasgow games.
She told The Courier: “I broke my collar bone, which set my training programme back at least two months. The winter months are a crucial time to build your endurance base, which I couldn’t do.
“Therefore, I hit the beginning of the season missing the first few races and struggling to find form.”
The incident also delayed completion of Gemma’s nursing degree but the experience has made her more determined.
“I didn’t allow the accident to affect me in my long-term goal,” she said. “As soon as I could, I got back on the bike and started training hard.
“Cycling at such a high intensity means even a week off due to illness can become a problem.”
Gemma discovered a love for competitive cycling relatively late on but worked hard for the chance to show her progress on the European circuit, ahead of all important selection for July’s competition.
The former Arbroath High School pupil is being advised by local top-level coach John Bremner.
Mr Bremner works with promising young cyclists at the Discovery Junior Cycling Club and believes Gemma has “a great chance” of selection.
He said: “Scottish Cycling is really enthused by her and they have said she is in with a very good shout. And Gemma is more motivated now than I’ve ever seen her.
“She is the first adult that’s come to me with her level of potential at this age.”
The games’ road racing segment takes place in Glasgow on July 31.
Her progress can be followed on Twitter at @gneill55.