Monster Energy Yamaha rider David Philippaerts took to the track last
week for the first time in four months. The 2008 FIM MX1 World Champion
completed his first training outing after suffering breaks to both
wrists in an accident while practicing for the Grand Prix of Czech
Republic in the first week of August. The soon-to-be 28 year old has
been following a comprehensive and carefully planned rehab and recovery
process and was relieved and excited to see that the first ride near his
home in Borgosesia went extremely well.
“I’m really happy and feel very good,” he commented.
“I was a bit scared just before going on the bike because I really
didn’t want any bad effects from the injury but we went to a track that
didn’t have that many jumps and I was able to hit everything straight
away. Afterwards there was no pain or discomfort; it was another
important step.”
“I haven’t ridden my race bike yet,” the Italian
revealed. “I have been building up and have been training with the 2012
YZ250F which has been great because it feels very light and easy to
ride. The team dropped the bike off a few days ago and I’ve already been
out a few times and I like the way it handles and the power delivery.”
Philippaerts, who won the Grand Prix of Brazil this
past season, will push full ahead with his programme that will involve a
two week spell of altitude training in northern Italy and then a
month’s riding and testing with the factory team on the island of
Sardinia in January. “It should be like normal for me now but the work I
do on the bike will be a bit slower and more steady compared to if I
hadn’t had the injury,” he offered. “I’ll be riding this week and next
week in Italy and then it depends a little on the weather because it is
already getting quite cold here and snow could come soon. We will go to
Sardinia mainly for the climate and it is something I have done for a
few years now. I think a few other teams will be going as well.”
The determined racer underwent three operations and a
three week stay in hospital in the immediate wake of the crash in
Germany and although he now plans to complete a full and unrestricted
off-season schedule he is still heeding medical advice: “I’m being smart
and taking it easy. Every week I make a check-up and also go for a
massage and physio on my arms. I know I cannot be 100% straight away. I
have to say though that I couldn’t be happier with the people I have
around me and how much they have helped. It means a lot when they say I
am doing well and I am good to go.”
After the spell in Sardinia Philippaerts – with
team-mate Steven Frossard and new MX2-GP recruit Christophe Charlier -
will then begin the pre-season phase of warm-up race events and
International appearances with the first round of the 2012 FIM World
Championship slated for Easter weekend in April in Holland. “We still
have to decide the races,” he says. “We will enter the Italian
championship but before that we have to see whether we do the Mantova
Starcross or Valence in France; one of those will be the first meeting
in February. I will also be in Belgium a bit more this year for training
and sand riding.”
12/2/2011 5:12pm
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