Swanepoel on the mend
By TMX Archives on 28th May 08
MOLSON Kawasaki's third MX2 pilot Gareth Swanepoel (pictured above) is on the mend following his recent surgery and should be back to full fitness and back on the bike for the tail end of the 2008 GP season. The 23-year-old South African has been sidelined since the first round of the British motocross championship back in March after failing to recover properly from a wrist injury.
After suffering with the injury he originally picked up early in 2006, Swanie made the decision to sit out of the start of the 2008 season in order to undergo further surgery to ensure he could return at full strength and then continue his career uninterrupted.
Since making the call to go under the knife again it's been a long few months for Gareth as he waited to see if the surgery would be a success but after a scan last week Dr Claes Swanie's surgeon is confident that everything is healing well and we may see the Johannesburg-born racer back on track sooner than initially thought.
I had a scan last week and the doctors are happy that everything is healing well, explained Gareth. I've been keeping myself busy by working on my general fitness and obviously I've had a fair few appointments to see my doctor and also my physiotherapist. My wrist and also my foot is feeling much better now it's had time to heal in a week or so I'll be able to start running again and in two to three weeks I can start cycling.
While obviously keen to start riding his Kawasaki once more Gareth is planning to only return to the track when he is absolutely ready.
I don't want to come back too early, I'd rather come back when I'm ready to run top five or top-ten at least I'm thinking maybe Loket or the Irish GP in August is a possibility for my return. I'm quite excited to ride again.