Malignant pancreatic tumour and six-hour surgery behind Amber Pate's long absence from racing

Australian cyclist Amber Pate has revealed that her prolonged absence from racing this season was due to the discovery and surgical removal of a malignant tumour on her pancreas. The Liv AlUla Jayco rider, who had last competed at Le Samyn in March, shared the news on social media, explaining that the tumour was found incidentally during routine scans following a crash earlier in the year. Despite the daunting diagnosis, Pate described the discovery as a stroke of luck, enabling early intervention before the tumour could develop further. The tumour was identified after scans showed slight enlargement of her pancreas, prompting further investigation and a biopsy that confirmed the presence of a small, slow-growing malignancy. Pate returned to Australia for a six-hour distal pancreatectomy, which she underwent successfully earlier this week. She expressed gratitude towards her medical team, family, friends, and teammates for their unwavering support throughout her treatment and recovery process. Contracted with Liv AlUla Jayco until the end of the year, Pate remains determined to return to racing as soon as her health permits. She acknowledged the setback but emphasised her focus on recovery and rejoining her team in Europe. Her announcement has been met with an outpouring of support from fellow riders and her team, highlighting the close-knit nature of the cycling community and their encouragement during her challenging time. This development underscores the unpredictable nature of athletes’ careers and the importance of health monitoring in professional sport. Pate’s experience also serves as a reminder of the resilience required to overcome personal adversity while maintaining professional ambitions. As she continues her recovery, fans and colleagues alike will be watching closely for her return to competitive cycling.