STATEMENT FROM WILL WALKER, FEBRUARY 2014

The ventricular tachycardia I encountered at the national championship was enough for me to instantly decide that I was not ever going to race again. I had  a clean bill of health while riding for Drapac apart from a light episode at the Tour of the Great South coast and looked to be staying comfortably on top of it. However on the day of the road race, I knew something was not right, but I pushed through it, 5 had worked hard, was in great shape and had made a good split in the race that would have put me into a great position to gain a result. Pushing through in hindsight was not a wise move and the result of that was sustained ventricular tachycardia for nearly an hour at 270 beats, and by far the worst episode I have ever had.

Looking back at that day makes me feel happy that I still have my life but that I was also able to give cycling a second chance and thanks are certainly due to Michael Drapac and Synergy Baku for their belief.

Andre La Gerche (cardiologist) recently said to me that my comeback was similar to making a comeback in football after knee surgery, and that it was improbable that I would return to my very best. It turns out that once I got close to my best form the problem returned. I will continue to be tested and look at returning in the safest way to normal life through the supervision and guidance of Dr La Gerche ,who is known as a world leader in sports cardiology. But one easy solution is just to cancel my racing license!

Looking back at my career, I am extremely satisfied with my results. My Elite and Under 23 Australian championship at the same time is the highlight, but so too are my second in the Under 23 Worlds in Madrid in 2006, the two Grand Tours I rode, the Commonwealth games and the World Championships I competed in. Working with Aldo Sassi was an absolute honor and something  I will cherish for the rest of my life! He was not just a great coach but an amazing person, and I truly learned a lot about life from him. I think he would be very happy to see that I have decided to stop racing again so that I can concentrate on looking after his daughter, to whom I am engaged.

Into the future, my intensions are to stay involved with the Synergy Baku cycling team, however in what capacity is still to be discussed.  Seeing a project grow, from ground up will naturally be a very exciting process and I hope I will be able to have some great input into mentoring and looking after the upcoming riders.