{"id":657734,"date":"2026-05-08T12:50:10","date_gmt":"2026-05-08T12:50:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/657734\/"},"modified":"2026-05-08T12:50:10","modified_gmt":"2026-05-08T12:50:10","slug":"malignant-pancreatic-tumour-and-six-hour-surgery-behind-amber-pates-long-absence-from-racing","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/657734\/","title":{"rendered":"Malignant pancreatic tumour and six-hour surgery behind Amber Pate’s long absence from racing"},"content":{"rendered":"

Australia’s Amber Pate<\/a> has been sidelined from racing due to the discovery of a small but malignant tumour on her pancreas, the Liv AlUla Jayco rider revealed this week.<\/p>\n

The former national criterium champion started her season in Australia and then Europe but hadn’t raced since Le Samyn in March and no reason for her absence had been given.<\/p>\n

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On Thursday, she shared an update via Instagram<\/a>, confirming that she is recovering after surgery to remove the growth.<\/p>\n

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“It\u2019s been a bit of a time. And quietness to focus in was just what I needed. I\u2019ve missed lots of bike racing and had many questions of why I\u2019m out of the classics. So here is the update,” she wrote.<\/p>\n

The tumour was discovered during routine scans after a crash, with Pate commenting that the by-chance discovery “could be considered bad luck or good luck. I take it as good luck.<\/p>\n

“From a bike crash in January, on the broad scans checking for any breaks etc, it was mentioned to get closer check on the pancreas, as it showed some slight enlargement. Once I returned to Europe we got these scans done, followed by a biopsy. To which they found a very small \/ very slow growing malignant tumour in my pancreas.”<\/p>\n

At that point, Pate returned home to Australia, and underwent surgery earlier this week.<\/p>\n

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“After a long 6h surgery (distal pancreatectomy) on Tuesday, all went extremely successfully to remove the tumour. And I am recovering nicely,” she shared, alongside photos of her in her hospital bed with members of her family, who she thanked.<\/p>\n

“The support from all the specialists \/ doctors has been beyond amazing. I also couldn\u2019t do this without my family \/ friends \/ teammates in this time. I have felt the support entirely, and I am so grateful.”<\/p>\n

Contracted until the end of the year and usually a mainstay of Liv AlUla Jayco<\/a>‘s Classics and sprint squad, Pate underlined her motivation to get back to racing.<\/p>\n

“Life has indeed thrown a curveball, but I am now stoked to be in recovery and full focus forward to get back to Europe to my teammates when my body is ready,” she said.<\/p>\n

Her post garnered a lot of support and comments from teammates past and present and other members of the peloton, with her team Liv AlUla Jayco commenting a purple heart.<\/p>\n

“Oh, Ambie.. happy that they found it quickly and that the surgery was successful. Take care and heal up!” wrote Ur\u0161ka \u017digart<\/a>, whilst Lucinda Stewart commented: “You\u2019re so tough. Speedy recovery, hope to see you back in g town soon.”<\/p>\n