Kawasaki's a Paulin setback
By TMX Archives on 30th Jul 08
MOLSON Kawasaki's Gautier Paulin suffered further injury setback as he prepared to make his long awaited GP comeback after breaking his collarbone at the French GP last when during testing at Loon Plage in Northern France the Frenchman broke his left tibia in a high speed crash.
I was there to do some testing sessions with a new engine set-up together with Stephen Sword and the mechanics of the team, explained Gautier. I felt perfect, I had no more troubles with my shoulder - in fact I felt even better than earlier in the season and I was ready to battle at the next GPs.
We were doing sessions of 20 minutes plus two laps and it was at the end of one of these periods that I crashed in a fast corner. It was a fast corner that we took in fourth gear but there was a big hole and I went over the handlebars - I was not feeling tired at all. When I wanted to stand up I understood that my leg was broken. Jacky Vimond was there and called the firemen who came with a 4x4 and carried me to the local hospital.
I had exams there and they put on a plaster then I went with the team to Belgium where I met Dr Claes. Yesterday afternoon I had surgery for the first time in my life, they put a pin in my left tibia and made a transplant. Now I must not put my foot on the ground and I have to walk with crutches.
I don't know yet when I will be able to ride my bike again - I don't think I will be able to race another GP this season. As soon as possible I will start working for 2009. I'm lucky to be part of a strong team, everyone there is really kind to me and they give me great support.
ANTONIO Cairoli's hopes of claiming a third MX2 world title are over after the flambouyant underwent surgery to repair the knee injury he sustained in South Africa two weeks ago.
Scans on the De Carli Yamaha riders knee in Belgium revealed a damaged ACL, an injury much worse than Cairoli had initially hoped, and renowned specialist Dr Claes performed the procedure to repair the ligament.
After an MRI which revealed the ligament damage Cairoli immediately made a decision together with Yamaha Red Bull De Carli team principal Claudio de Carli to go under the knife and begin the rehabilitation process of between three to four months with an aim to be fully fit over the crucial winter period where he will begin preparations for his assault on the MX1 title in 2009.
I was frustrated and disappointed after the accident with my knee in South Africa. The championship is so tight that I knew even missing just one moto was an advantage I could not give to Tommy and Tyla, the 22-year-old said. I thought I might have some problems with the meniscus and hoped I could come back in Lommel as I did not want to surrender the title but after the scan I knew that the championship had gone for sure. Instead of trying to ride in pain or not being at 100 per cent, I made the decision to have the surgery now and get the recovery out of the way as soon as possible.
AFTER sitting out most of the season due to a thumb injury Kevin Strijbos mades a comeback to racing at Nismes' third Belgian championship round on Sunday and looks set to return to GP action at Lommel this weekend.
In a field packed with Belgiums MX1 regulars, the 22-year-old GPKR Kawasaki teamster went 6-5-5 in the three motos at the former GP venue to finish fifth overall for the day and get in some valuable race time before Lommel's torturous sand.
Overall victor on the day was fast-rising young Belgian hope Clement Desalle whose 1-2-3 finishes were enough to hand him his first national championship victory from Ken De Dycker and Manuel Priem.
Overall Results: 1 Clment Desalle (BEL-Suzuki) 68 points, 2 Ken De Dycker (BEL-Suzuki) 62, 3 Manuel Priem (BEL-Kawasaki) 58, 4 Jonathan Barragan (SPA-KTM) 53, 5 Kevin Strijbos (BEL-Kawasaki) 47, 6 Steve Ramon (BEL-Suzuki) 43, 7 Bas Verhoeven (NED-Kawasaki) 39, 8 Danny Theybers (BEL-Suzuki) 39, 9 Kristof Salaets (BEL-Honda) 35, 10 Dennis Schrter (D-KTM) 30.