Just when Flora Duffy seemed to be showing signs of rediscovering her form she was cruelly forced to withdraw from the Triathlon World Championships after colliding with another cyclist.

Fatigue-plagued Duffy had emerged from the swim with a time of 18 minutes, 57 seconds, sitting pretty in 24th position, before disaster struck when a wheel spoke shattered to bring her promising race to a premature end.

A cyclist ahead of her came off her bike and careered into the 19-year-old who was unscathed from the accident, but left with no other option than to retire after attempts to repair her wheel proved futile. She was just 51 seconds into the cycling stage of the Hamburg championships and around 30 seconds behind the leading pack.

While Duffy is understandably frustrated by her weekend's setback it's believed she felt healthy and fresh before the crash, suggesting her recent woes may finally be on the wane.

Since starting her second campaign with a career-best fifth place finish in Lisbon, she has endured a miserable season failing to finish the Madrid World Cup BG and coming last in the Salford World Cup BG in July.

But Neil de Ste Croix, from the Bermuda Triathlon Association and Duffy's former junior coach, believes she is on the road to recovery after her encouraging early showing in Hamburg.

"I know she was hoping to make a comeback in this race so it's disappointing for her, especially as the crash was not her fault," he said. "I haven't spoken to Flora but her father Charles e-mailed me to let me know how she got on. She's understandably disappointed but it's encouraging she had been feeling strong before the accident and finished the swim not far from the front pack.

"Sadly the spoke of the wheel just couldn't be repaired and she had to withdraw but was feeling good at the time - a lot better than in her past few races."

Warwick-born Duffy has been unable to repeat her scintillating form of her debut campaign with over-training, travelling and study stress cited as factors behind her disjointed displays.

And de Ste Croix believes her body has had difficulties adapting to the extra strains of competition this testing season, but is adamant she will return to form after rest and recuperation.

"Flora is still very young and it seems her body is coming to terms with all the training and travelling that's been required of her this year," he added. "Every athlete requires a different programme of rest and training and she just needs to get the balance.

"Everyone knows she has the ability and I've no doubt we will see her at the Beijing Olympics next year."

Last week Duffy told The Royal Gazette she would call the curtain on her turbulent season if she did not need to pick up points to qualify for the 2009 Olympics.

It is believed Bermuda's Female Athlete of the Year will compete in two more World Cup races this season.