IN
THE
WIND
P32
Scary Times For Herlings
F
ormer MX2 and MXGP Champion Jef-
frey Herlings revealed just how serious,
and scary, the crash and injuries were that
he suffered at the MXGP of Citta di Faenza
a few weeks ago. Evidently, he suffered
fractures to his C1, C6 and T3 vertebrae and
even experience temporary paralysis. He
recently revealed on social media prior to
last weekend's MXGP of Mantova:
It's been pretty quiet around me lately
and I am sorry for not giving a update to
my fans since my crash. I cannot describe
how devastated it was being there on the
ground temporarily paralyzed and not
having any feeling from my neck down for
minimum half an hour.
Eventually I ended up [breaking] my C1,
C6 and T3. Doctors told me I got through
the eye of the needle with not ending up
paralyzed. From the good side, I got three
stable fractures with only small cracks in
the bones and the healing process won't
be too long, luckily and doctors say I will
get a full recovery from this injury.
I was feeling I was more [than] 100% in
control this season, accepting a second
place and felt more in control of the cham-
pionship than ever. I feel like that I messed
up for the second season in a row, even I
have the feeling there was nothing I can
blame myself for, for this crash. I am sorry
to all my sponsors and partners and fans
for once again not being able to deliver
a championship to them. And most of all
I would like to thank my entire KTM team
and crew for their patience and their con-
stant support towards me and their sup-
port through thick and thin. It's been a very
tough last two seasons, but I know I still
got plenty to offer in this sport.
For the moment the team and
I have decided to sit out the next
race in Mantova and look from there
when exactly we will return to racing.
I believe to become back healthy is
the most important for now. Once
again, thanks to my team and part-
ners for their great support. I will
work hard to become back healthy
again as soon as possible. CN
Jeffrey Herlings
says he escaped
serious injury from
his crash at MXGP
of Citta di Faenza.
PHOTO: RAY ARCHER
