McGee gives insight into Sicily injury

Brad McGee's emotions have swung from rash thoughts of retirement to grim, bloody-minded determination after the top Australian cyclist suffered another broken collarbone.

McGee gave an insight into the turbulence of this week with a posting on his website.

He and Australian CSC team-mate Stuart O'Grady crashed out of the Giro d'Italia (Tour of Italy) earlier this week with broken collarbones.

McGee will have a metal plate inserted in his right collarbone to accelerate the healing.

Both shape as key members of the Australian cycling team at the Beijing Olympics, but missing the bulk of the Giro will rob them of valuable racing.

McGee has suffered several years of frustrating injury problems since winning a gold medal in the teams pursuit at the Athens Olympics.

"Rolling to the hospital in Sicily post-crash, cradling what I knew to be a smashed collarbone and heavy abrasions, thoughts of 'no more' and 'f..k this shit' were swimming freestyle through my mind. I can admit this now," he said in the posting.

"As soon as I stood up and was able to walk out of the hospital these thoughts rightfully pissed off and with every step came the feeling of 'let the healing commence!'

McGee then paid credit to the support he had received from CSC, Australian team officials and the Monaco Institute, where he has had treatment.

"Add to this support my family, friends and fans plus my own internal will to get back into the action and one could not offer much hope for this snivelling poor-excuse of an injury in its attempt to upset my season," he said.

"It's no time for dreaming."

McGee had one of the highlights of his outstanding career at the 2000 Sydney Olympics, where he won a bronze medal in the individual pursuit about a fortnight after needing a plate inserted in his left collarbone.

In a separate post on the cyclingnews website, McGee explained the thinking behind next Monday's operation.

"I've been to the hospital today to get the results of my x-rays and stuff and we've decided that I should have an operation done on Monday to have a plate inserted in my shoulder," McGee said.

"I'm happy about that because I've broken my collarbone before and if you just let it heal on its own you get problems with it later on, so it's better to have the plate inserted.

"It prevents future problems and I'll be able to come back a lot quicker."

Aided by a special frame, which takes the weight off his shoulders so he can lean forward, McGee will be pedalling on a home trainer just two days after the operation.