Neil Hodgson still hospitalised after crash

Following a heavy motocross crash on Sunday, Britain’s Neil Hodgson remains in the Loma Linda University Medical Center in California.

The 35 year old suffered a collapsed lung, cracked ribs and a dislocated left shoulder in the crash and will remain in hospital until doctors are satisfied that his lung his clear.

The crash happened at the  Racetown 395 circuit in Adelanto, California, with Hodgson crashing in to an already fallen rider after landing a jump.

Speaking from hospital, Hodgson said: “After the crash I was laying on the track and I literally could not breathe, I couldn’t move and I just thought, ‘What happened?’ I went down so hard.”

“It’s so unlucky. I always ride at 80 percent and I never do anything stupid when I’m motocrossing, and then this happens. You just never know. The day before I was riding in a pack of 100 cyclists going down a hill at 50 mph. “

Hodgson will continue to be treated in hospital and has a drain tube going into his lung to speed up the process. He said: “Unfortunately, I can’t cough because of my ribs so I can’t get it to clear. And they won’t let me leave until that tube is gone.”

Upon his release from hospital Hodgson plans to visit Dr. Thomas Bryan, a renowned orthopaedic surgeon in the racing paddock for further checks.

Hodgson will be replaced by former Corona Honda rider Jake Holden for this weekend’s second round of the AMA Pro Road Racing Championship at Auto Club Speedway.

Hodgson now faces a battle for fitness to be ready for the following round at Road Atlanta on 4th to 5th April. The decision rests on Hodgson’s need for surgery on his dislocated shoulder and the progress of his lung injury.

Doctors often advise people who have lung injuries not to fly, which in itself could prevent Hodgson from racing at Road Atlanta.