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Constant headaches, speech problems: Camille Balanche suffered for a long time after her fall. Now there is good news.
“At times I asked myself: Are you going to stay “stupid” now?” Today, mountain biker Camille Balanche calmly talks about the months of rehab after her serious fall caused by a gust of wind at the World Cup in Andorra last August, during which she suffered a traumatic brain injury. But you can feel how serious their situation was.
The 34-year-old from Neuchâtel says she has no memory of two weeks of her life, she had to keep searching for words when speaking, and she suffered from headaches for months. Now there is good news from the 2020 downhill world champion: “I haven’t had any for two weeks.”
Uncertain form
Balanche returned to the bike in January of this year. “After the long break, I lacked the strength and a bit of self-confidence,” admits the Romande. She was unable to train her upper body for a long time because of severe pain. Balanche had few problems with the technology: “You never forget how to ride a bike.”
Now she has competed in her first race of the year as part of a training camp. “So I can tick that off,” says the Swiss woman happily. But although there were some World Cup competitors at the local event, Balanche is uncertain about her form. “The narrower route and the lower speed than in the World Cup do not allow any conclusions to be drawn.” Overall, she feels ready for the start of the season.
Delicate return to Andorra
Balanche is cautious about her goals for this year. «I always strive to improve. This year I probably won’t be able to do that as much as I did last year. I hope that I can be as fast, focus and push myself to my limits.”
Because downhill is not an Olympic discipline, the World Championships represent the highlight of the season. It takes place in Vallnord, Andorra, of all places – almost exactly a year after Balanche’s terrible fall on this very route. The Swiss woman expects the organizers to pay for the jump that was her downfall. “If not and if gusts of wind threaten again, I will certainly be a little afraid,” admits Balanche.