Max Neukirchner from Alstare Suzuki returned to track yesterday for the official Imola tests after being sidelined for 10 weeks with injuries picked up during the horror pile-up in Race 1 at Monza.
Ninety minutes into this morning’s session, Neukirchner crashed out at the Tamburello turn, the session was red flagged while he stretchered to the Clinica Mobile for a check up.
The initial diagnosis was that Neukirchner had suffered only abrasions and bruises to his back, but further X-rays in a Bologna hospital have revealed that he has a fractured vertebra, but it remains unclear, as in Noriyuki Haga’s case, if the fracture is a result of this morning’s crash or is from a previous injury.
Doctors have advised the German rider to wear a body cast for 20 days and then re-evaluate the situation, but Neukirchner seems to have decided to return to Germany and be operated on.
Later this afternoon further tests will be carried out.
UPDATED:According to the official SBK website Max Neukircher has been diagnosed with four fractures to his vertebrae.
A D12 dorsal vertebra fracture in his lower back as well as minor cracks in the L1, L2 and L3 lumbar vertebrae.
Neukirchner will return to Germany and remain in a plaster cast for 30 days.
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