Accused Australian cycling coach headed to trial

Rick Lee, a 51 year-old Australian cycling coach living in Pennsylvania, will head to trial on charges of rape, statutory rape, burglary, involuntary deviate sexual intercourse, sexual assault, aggravated indecent assault, indecent assault and indecent exposure following a preliminary hearing in Northampton County court on Wednesday according to The Morning Call.

During the hearing, charges of trespassing and burglary were dropped. Lee reportedly met online the 15 year-old victim, who was posing as a 19 year-old college student and emergency room nurse.

Kirsten Frattini is the Deputy Editor of Cyclingnews, overseeing the global racing content plan.

Kirsten has a background in Kinesiology and Health Science. She has been involved in cycling from the community and grassroots level to professional cycling's biggest races, reporting on the WorldTour, Spring Classics, Tours de France, World Championships and Olympic Games.

She began her sports journalism career with Cyclingnews as a North American Correspondent in 2006. In 2018, Kirsten became Women's Editor – overseeing the content strategy, race coverage and growth of women's professional cycling – before becoming Deputy Editor in 2023.