Team Naturally Best Racing
BRIDEWELL OUT FOR A MONTH WITH BROKEN LEG
The opening round of the Italian Superbike Championship promised
much but delivered little when Team Naturally Best Racing
rider Tommy Bridewell sustained a broken leg in a freak incident
at the Mugello circuit yesterday
After qualifying the Suzuki GSX-R1000 on row two of the nine
row grid on his debut at the track, the 19 year old from Etchilhampton
near Devizes in Wiltshire was confident of a good result and
on the opening lap was up to third place amongst some of Europe's
best riders.
However at the Materassi section of the course, a rider lost
control behind Tommy and the resulting wayward machine made
contact with Bridewell and knocked him from his bike. Luckily
being avoided by the ensuing pack, Tommy limped to the edge
of the track where subsequent investigation revealed a re-break
to the right tibia which he first injured at Snetterton back
in 2002.
After visiting the local hospital, it was decided that rather
than have the leg pinned in Italy, Tom would travel home with
dad Marc and mum Liz in the family motorhome prior to surgery
later this week to repair the damage.
As a result, Tom will miss the next round of the ISC at Monza
on May 4th as well as the second round of the Suzuki GSX-R
750 European Cup back at Monza on May 11th but is hoping to
be back in action at round three of the Italian Superbike
Championship at Vallelunga over the weekend of May 23rd to
25th.
Speaking en route through France today, Tommy said: "The
doctors told me it would be around thirty days after the operation
before I'd be fit enough to ride again so if we can get the
operation done this week, and there are no complications,
I'll do my best to get back for Vallelunga, which will be
a bonus. If not, I'll definitely be riding the Suzuki in Germany
on June 15th. This is a real kick in the balls as I was confident
of winning the race and the team and bike were fantastic but
it was one of these freak things you hear about. Everyone
has worked so hard, including Dunlop Tyres and Adriani Suspension
and we have a great package now and I'll be doing all I can
to get fit as soon as I can. "
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