The Honda World Motocross team endured a tough final MX1 World Championship qualifying day in Teutschenthal, Germany as Rui Gonçalves retired from proceedings in pre-qualifying with injury, and Evgeny Bobryshev tore a ligament in his thumb, potentially casting doubt over whether he can race tomorrow.
It’s been a frustrating way to bring to a close a frustrating season for Gonçalves, who sustained a fractured shoulder blade after being struck by another rider following a crash at the Grand Prix of Europe in Faenza, Italy just under two weeks ago. The 27-year-old Portuguese star made an attempt to ride today and although it was possible to complete a few laps around the hardpack German circuit, the pain and lack of power in his arm eventually meant he had to make the difficult decision to sit out of proceedings after pre-qualifying. Gonçalves will now focus on attempting to be fit enough to race for his country at the Motocross of Nations next weekend in Lommel, Belgium.
Teammate Bobryshev, who enjoyed a double win here last year and his debut Grand Prix victory, was looking promising in the opening sessions, as he finished in the top three in both outings. However, as the Russian racer made a final attempt for a fast lap in the second session, pre-qualifying, he hit a bump hard, which forced his hand to slip over the front of the bar, and jarred his right thumb. The injured area is between the first and second Phalanx of the thumb, a different joint further down the thumb that was damaged in the opening race of this year in Valkenswaard, The Netherlands, where initial scans have shown a torn ligament, which has made the area swollen and painful.
Bobryshev made a good start to the qualifying race today for the 16thand final round of the World Championship series into sixth place, but slipped off as he lost the front halfway around the first lap. The 24-year-old Honda pilot pushed as hard as possible through the pain barrier to make his way back to 11thposition, with a pass on Kevin Strijbos on the final lap, but was visibly suffering as he returned back to the team awning. The situation with Bobryshev’s hand, which is causing him great discomfort, will be reviewed tomorrow morning where the Honda racer will decide with the team’s doctor, Francesco Pacelli, whether it’s possible to race or not after ice therapy and painkillers tonight.
“Teutschenthal brings good memories for me, but I came here knowing it would be hard to win, as it’s been a tough year and my aim was to keep improving with the consistent results like we’ve had in the last few races. The first practice was good, but in pre-qualifying I went for a fast lap and hit a bump, which forced my hand over the bar. It jarred my thumb, and after having it scanned, it’s shown a broken ligament. It’s not just stretched or tweaked; it’s broken. In the qualifying race I had a good start but crashed on a landing, and I couldn’t go at the speed I wanted, because I just couldn’t hold on properly. I was trying to keep my hand away from where it hurts, so on the bumps and landings I was being very cautious. Tomorrow we will have to see, but we will take some more painkillers and try to bring the swelling down a little.”
Rui Gonçalves #999: DNS
“After breaking my shoulder blade in Faenza I had two weeks of giving it everything to be able to come back and race here. I tried hard, as I’m not one of those guys that will give up before trying, so we went out for the first two practices to see if it would be possible to race. To be honest the pain was so high and intense, the different medicines we tried helped, but it just wasn’t enough. I was also losing some power in being able to hold the bike, so we had to make the decision to call it a day. I will try to recover for the Motocross of Nations in Lommel, but it’s disappointing, and there’s not much more I can say; we can’t fight nature and I need to give it time to heal. It’s a difficult way to end the season, but I have no words for that, we did everything we could. I’d like to say a huge thanks to everyone in the team, Honda, my fans, family and all the support I have received, as it means a lot to me.”
Rui Gonçalves #999: DNS
“After breaking my shoulder blade in Faenza I had two weeks of giving it everything to be able to come back and race here. I tried hard, as I’m not one of those guys that will give up before trying, so we went out for the first two practices to see if it would be possible to race. To be honest the pain was so high and intense, the different medicines we tried helped, but it just wasn’t enough. I was also losing some power in being able to hold the bike, so we had to make the decision to call it a day. I will try to recover for the Motocross of Nations in Lommel, but it’s disappointing, and there’s not much more I can say; we can’t fight nature and I need to give it time to heal. It’s a difficult way to end the season, but I have no words for that, we did everything we could. I’d like to say a huge thanks to everyone in the team, Honda, my fans, family and all the support I have received, as it means a lot to me.”
Francesco Pacelli phD: Osteopathy and Postural Analysis specialist
“Bobby’s injury is not in the same area on the thumb as he had earlier in the year, but obviously this area is weak too. The first injury was between the first Metacarpal and the first Proximal Phalanx, but this one is between the first and second Phalanx of the thumb. I think during the race he was struggling to grip the handlebar and pressure through the joint is causing him a lot of discomfort, but the damaged area isn’t as important as the one he damaged more severely in Valkenswaard. We will try ice therapy, rest and some painkillers during the night to see if we can make it more comfortable. Tomorrow morning we will check his condition, and we will decide about painkillers before the race.”
“Bobby’s injury is not in the same area on the thumb as he had earlier in the year, but obviously this area is weak too. The first injury was between the first Metacarpal and the first Proximal Phalanx, but this one is between the first and second Phalanx of the thumb. I think during the race he was struggling to grip the handlebar and pressure through the joint is causing him a lot of discomfort, but the damaged area isn’t as important as the one he damaged more severely in Valkenswaard. We will try ice therapy, rest and some painkillers during the night to see if we can make it more comfortable. Tomorrow morning we will check his condition, and we will decide about painkillers before the race.”
Lorenzo Resta: Honda World Motocross Team Manager
“It’s been a really frustrating day, and not the way we expected to close the season, but it’s been the same all year for us. Rui was brave to try riding today, as it wasn’t easy for him, but it was important to see if he could ride. Unfortunately with the pain he has, he decided he wouldn’t be able to race. Bobby had an injury in pre-qualifying, which made it difficult to hold the bike. He did the best he could after having a little slip off in the qualifying race. His lap times were top five, top six, but the rhythm is the same for all riders apart from the top three, so it was difficult to make progress. With a better start he should be able to stay there if the thumb is okay.”
9/22/2012 10:42pm
0 comments
To post, please join, log in or connect to Vital using your Facebook profile Login with Facebook.