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Monster Energy Yamaha’s David Philippaerts underwent corrective surgery yesterday on his broken right arm a week after his training crash in Germany and will soon begin the journey to his home north of Milan.
The Italian had stopped to train at a circuit in Germany while on his way from the Grand Prix of Limburg in Belgium to Loket for the Casino Bonver Grand Prix of Czech Republic last weekend. Philippaerts fell after losing traction on a double step-up jump and was unable to complete the obstacle, landing heavily and crashing. It is thought that he sustained the breaks to both his left and right arms – close to the wrists – through both the impact and the resulting tumble.
The 2008 world champion, who had been a little unlucky during the 2011 MX1 campaign but had still remained at the front of the pack, gained three podiums and a fantastic victory at Indaiatuba for the Grand Prix of Brazil in May, was immediately taken to the Klinikum Fichtelgebirge Haus hospital where his left limb was successfully plated. Philippaerts initially had surgery on the right arm but the bones needed to be reset and receive traction. Reports and updates on the Italian Motocross of Nations representative condition had been sent to his medical advisors in Italy. The final operation occurred without a problem Wednesday morning and the 27 year old is expected to leave the German facility in the coming days.
David is expected to be out of the saddle for the better part of several months.
“It was a heavy blow to lose David for the season in this way and this part of the sport that is never easy to accept,” said Monster Energy Yamaha Team Owner Michele Rinaldi. “It was hard for our team at Loket especially because David has not missed a single race through injury since joining us in 2008. David faced a week in the hospital but it was important to get the correct medical treatment to ensure the best means of recovery. We are grateful to the staff at the Klinikum Fichtelgebirge Haus hospital for their care and attention and for their co-operation with David’s people back home. I am sure he can continue a full and proper rehabilitation now and get back to health and speed in the next couple of months.”
