Arminas Jasikonis injury update: He shares his recovery progress and what still lies ahead
By Andrew Hill on 26th Nov 20
After suffering a horror crash in September, motocross feared the worst for Arminas Jasikonis, now almost two months on he is recovering well but the 23-year-old Lithuanian says he still has a long road ahead.
The Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing rider had a solid start to his day at the Grand Prix of Lombardia in Italy on September 27, qualifying fifth set him up for a solid opening race where he took the chequers in sixth place.
But in the second moto a big off mid-race left him with a traumatic head injury. He was airlifted to a nearby hospital in Cremona where he was placed in a medically induced coma.
His family, team, fellow riders and the wider motocross community waited and hoped for some positive news. Then on the Tuesday, he woke up. Team manager, Antti Pyrhonen sums up the relief when AJ spoke. "When he woke, when we realised that he could talk, that he could move all of his arms and legs, that he was in no pain and had no other injuries, its still almost impossible to put into words how incredible that feeling was," Pyrhonen said.
After just one week Arminas was able to leave the hospital and head home to Lithuania.
There at his home with his girlfriend, he has continued his long recovery process. He has not needed to go back to the hospital and is now able to drive his car but still suffers from shoulder pain.
Arminas has started physical training, including running and his balance is good. He has good days and bad taking it slowly is important and he avoids pushing himself too hard. "There are days when its worse," Jasikonis told MXGP. "There are days when its better, but not bad at all compared to the first days after an incident.
"Im on my way forward, but you cant overdo it."
Arminas hasn't lost that desire for motocross and wants to return to racing when the time is right, but there are no guarantees.
"In Finland, the medical profession will look at how far I have moved forward," he added. "The plan is to come back, it really is, but I cant promise it. Id like to be back in half a year. I just slept and woke up. Im almost unscathed, just a little bit of a shoulder pain at the moment, but Im working on it now."
More like this…
Brent van Doninck signs 2021 deal with Gebben Van Venrooy Yamaha
Brent van Doninck has officially signed with Gebben Van Venrooy Yamaha for the 2021 FIM Motocross World Championship.
Nathan Watson and Benoit Paturel sign for 2021 MXGP with Team Honda France SR Motoblouz
For the third year in a row team Honda France SR Motoblouz will compete next season in the MXGP World Championship, with a new line up.
Mattia Guadagnini gets 2021 deal with Red Bull KTM Factory Racing
Mattia Guadagnini has joined Red Bull KTM Factory Racing for the 2021 FIM Motocross World Championship.