Australian cyclist Michael Freiberg managed to overcome a bout of swine flu to gain selection in the Manchester World Cup team, where he will ride in the Omnium.
Freiberg picked up what he thought was originally a virus on his way back from Beijing after a 5th placing in his debut performance in the Omnium event.
He had a few days back home in Perth before getting on a plane to compete in the National Track Championships in Sydney.
“I spent the week in bed leading up to the National Championships and struggled through the first few events. I was forced to compete as I needed the qualification points for the World Champs,” Freiberg said.
“During the week my form started to improve and we picked up a bronze medal in the Teams Pursuit and helped Luke Durbridge to a Gold in the points race.”
It was not until after the Championships when Freiberg’s previous illness was diagnosed as swine flu.
“I guess that explains why everything hurt so much,” Freiberg joked.
Freiberg will race in Manchester from 18 to 20 February.