A cycling accident at the weekend has resulted in a fracture above the 41-year-old’s wrist and bruising to his elbow.
Following the training accident, a fall caused by a dog running in front of him, Rogers remounted and only realised the seriousness of the injury after the session.
It is estimated that the injuries will take between four and six weeks to heal – and as the triathlon event will be held on St Kilda’s foreshore on 18 March there is little room for optimism, other than Rogers’ quick healing on other occasions.
Said Rogers: ‘With the right treatment and careful training I should be able to minimise the impact of the injury.
I’m obviously disappointed, but I’ve already done the groundwork mileage and have been achieving the speed.’ Jersey’s triathlon team manager Gary Jones says that he and the Commonwealth Games Association of Jersey officers will review the situation next week regarding whether Rogers will travel to Melbourne, stressing that: ‘We’ll do all that we can to get Tim fit.
‘He’s a highly-committed and determined triathlete who has overcome setbacks in the past.’ The other two triathletes competing in the Games, Paul Clements and Scott Pitcher, are already preparing in Australia.
Pitcher, too, has not had the best of times, requiring 18 stitches to cuts received through a cycling accident.
He is, however, expected to make a full recovery in time to compete in this weekend’s Hobart Oceania Cup Triathlon in Tasmania.
Clements also competes – a first for Jersey triathletes and a great opportunity to check their race fitness.
Said Jones: ‘Racing at this level offers Scott and Paul the chance to compete with some outstanding triathletes, and will contribute immensely to their preparations for Melbourne.’ The triathletes are all supported by the Royal Bank of Scotland International.
