Well folks, hospital isn’t where I expected to be lying just hours after the Silverstone BSB weekend, having undergone over six hours’ of surgery, to repair my broken left femur and have a new pin inserted.
The old pin that I’ve had in the leg since my crash back in 2012, had to be removed, and it wasn’t the easiest of jobs, but it’s out now thanks to the medical team at the University Hospital Coventry, and the new shiny one is in and the recovery process begins.
Through all the pain and discomfort, I must say I’m gutted. What was building into a decent rookie ride in the British Superbike Championship with Tyco BMW, is now over for this season anyway.
Thanks to Philip Neill for the opportunity and all the boys in the team for their support, both since I took the ride at Snetterton at the start of July, and of course my personal sponsors. Without whom this would not have been possible. I’ve been here before, like a lot of riders. It’s an occupational hazard and while I’m down at the minute, the most important thing is to get back to full fitness and then see where we go from there.
Special thanks must go to Chris Palmer at Xpress Coffee, a personal sponsor and close friend, who was on the ball straight away with the team, and along with the likes of James Rispoli, who has called in to see me, I can’t say a big enough thank you. As has Jon Thornes at Cool Milk and a big shout out to the exceptionally dedicated and talented British Superbike Medical Team.
The Silverstone weekend was showing quite a bit of promise and even though we qualified poorly, I was well there in race one and also race two of the triple header on the Tyco BMW before the incident. Another rider ran over me, but I would never apportion blame as these things cannot be accounted for in racing, but I do think I’ve been dealt a pretty large portion of bad luck, taking into consideration the amount of crashes over the weekend in the BSB class.
What happens now?
Well I just need the feeling back in my right arm as it’s gone numb after lying on it for six hours of surgery! It’s as well I can laugh eh!? Then after that it’s a matter of getting fit enough to leave this place and get home to recover. My Fiancée Chloe is over with me at the minute and my mum was here for a fleeting visit.
The goal for now, is to be fit enough to make to the last round at Brands so I can say thank you to everyone who has helped me this season and of course mingle with the superb BSB fans who have been all over Social Media wishing me well. I’ve enjoyed wearing the colours of Tyco BMW and lining up and competing with the likes of Shakey Byrne and Josh Brookes. Here’s hoping we can be back for more in 2018.
I’ve already had a few painful ‘trips’ up onto my feet with the help of a hospital zimmer [it wasn’t pretty!] this week, but it’s part of the recovery process and all things being equal, I should be home at some point next week – so for the first weekend of the Showdown, I’ll need the hospital to rig me up with Eurosport to see all the action.
I know my team-mate Christian Iddon was so unlucky not to have made the Showdown top six, but he will be fired up for the races this weekend and no doubt trying to make amends at Oulton Park on the Tyco BMW. Best of luck mate.
Andy #18