There’s bad luck and then there’s cyclist Regan Gough.
The Tokyo Olympian and former World Champion hasn’t raced on the velodrome since the 2020 games, but not for lack of trying.
Long Covid, followed by ongoing illnesses, meant he’s spent more time recovering than riding over the past 18 months.
“There are a lot of words I probably can't use on TV, a rollercoaster by all means,” Gough told 1News.
Long Covid ruled him out of last year’s Commonwealth Games, where his team pursuit won gold, redemption for crashing out of the bronze medal race at the Olympics.
Since then, it’s hardly been a smooth ride.
“Nine times this year I’ve been out crook in the space of four or five months, Covid, influenza, tonsillitis, bronchitis, sinus infection, appendicitis,” Gough elaborated.
Every time things have looked promising, the universe has had other ideas.
Emergency appendix surgery was required after a surprise call up to this year’s Track World Championship team.
Then, earlier this month, he held the overall lead for two days of the Tour of Southland, only to get back to Cambridge and break his foot water skiing.
“I like having fun outside of sport and I tell you, she would have been a short career if I wasn't doing something like that, so I’ve skied for years”.
When asked if he’s had his fill of bad luck, Gough laughed.
“I would have said that about a year ago but it just keeps on coming.”
The 27-year-old is now awaiting surgery and with the Paris Olympics just ten months away, he said his chances of making the team are slimmer than slim.
“I'm going to be struggling with two feet let alone one foot through that period”.
What doesn’t help is the fact that all the time off the bike has left him with a form of impostor syndrome.
Gough focused on surviving the training he can do while his teammates are finessing aerodynamic positions and maximising small gains.
“I only ever want to do something 100%, but it's whether my 80% is good enough to fulfil a role in the team or not.
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