World Superbike News

Max Neukirchner - Monza Accident 2009

It was reported at the weekend that the injured DFX Corse rider Régis Laconi had improved slightly after he was carefully awakened from his medically induced coma.

He immediately began to move both his arms and his legs and the decision was made that he could now go ahead with the planned surgery to insert a metal plate to stabilise his two fractured vertebrae.

The operation took place yesterday morning at the Sunninghill Hospital in Johannesburg and was a great success, with medics saying that no further procedures should be necessary.

In addition to the insertion of the plate, a fragment of bone was also removed after it was found to be too close to his spinal cord.  A skin graft was then taken from his hip and plastic surgery took place to repair the site of the injury.

The Frenchman is to be awakened once again within 24 hours of the operation where he will then begin on his long rehabilitation programme.

The outcome for Laconi is looking positive and it is hoped that he will be well enough to be moved to a hospital in Paris at the end of the month, providing of course that there are no complications.

No further information has been given as to whether he will ever race again, but who knows, Barry Sheene was practically rebuilt and it never stopped him!

Max Neukirchner, the German Suzuki Alstare rider, is continuing to recover after leaving  the Monza hospital where he was admitted after breaking his leg  and dislocating his foot in an horrendous crash at Monza on the opening lap of the first race.

On the Sunday evening, Max underwent a six-hour operation to repair the broken bones in his right leg which was said to have gone without any complications and he is expected to make a full recovery.

His thigh has been stabilised by a pin but the double fracture to his fibula is now being allowed to heal on it’s own.  Max has more of a problem with his right foot than his leg as the fractures to the tiny bones have been fixed together by wires.

Here is a small clip of Max in hospital, guaranteed to put a lump in your throat, be warned;

The World Superbike rider, left the San Gerardo hospital on Thursday and travelled back home in his campervan as the medical team would not allow him to fly.

Max said on his Suzuki website;

“I get a little better every day and of course it feels so much better to be at home. I was very well looked after at the San Gerardo hospital in Monza and would like to thank all the staff there for their kindness and attention. The doctors did a really good job.
I have just seen the video of the crash for the first time and I was shocked! I think I am lucky because my injuries could’ve been so much worse!
However, the most important thing for me is to know that my team and my fans stand behind me. Every Alstare team member visited me on Monday and Tuesday in the hospital before they went to South Africa. Also my race rivals have shown a lot of sympathy and concern.
Thanks to all my fans and friends, particularly for the many entries on my homepage and messages on my mobile phone. As soon as I recover, I will get back in action as soon as possible and start fighting for points again!”