CAMPERDOWN export Grace Brown can now refer to herself as a "real cyclist" after suffering her first crash on the World Tour.
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The 26-year-old was involved in a fall on the opening stage of the Tour of Chongming Island and was taken to the local hospital where it was confirmed she had suffered a broken clavicle as a result of the crash.
In a social media post Brown confirmed she would build on from the injury.
"Sad to confirm that I'm out of action for a while, but from experience I'm hoping to come back from this stronger than before," she posted on Twitter.
"As frustrating as this is, it's a good opportunity to reflect and refocus my goals."
On Instagram the Mitchelton-SCOTT riders' response was a little more light-hearted.
"No more racing for me or Gracey Garner but at least we got an authentic cultural experience here at the Chongming Island hospital," she said in the post.
"Also glad to finally complete my initiation as a real cyclist by busting my right collarbone. Still yet to confirm treatment or comeback plan until I return to Europe, but hopefully it will be quick!"
Michelton-SCOTT sport director Alejandro Gonzalez could see the impact Brown's absence had on the team in the final stage of the tour when Sarah Roy finished sixth in a bunched sprint.
"We were a bit unlucky losing Grace Brown on day one, she was an important piece of our sprint train," he said.
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Elsewhere, south-west cycling pair Eddie Worrall and Cadel Howie started their Victorian Junior Road Series Series campaigns strongly.
Worrall finished seventh in the boys' 17-year-old A grade overall classification at the Moyston Junior Tour to sit 10th in the overall points for the series.
Howie finished seventh in his debut in the top grade of the 15-year-old section. He is seventh in the general classification and sits in the same place in the overall points race.
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