Haga injury update: Title hopes still alive

There is a slim hope that WSB title leader Noriyuki Haga could be back racing injured at the next round of the series after undergoing surgery today on a badly broken arm sustained in a massive crash at Donington Park yesterday. 

And even if he misses that round, a six week break to recuperate before the following race means his championship hopes remain very much alive. He currently leads Yamaha’s Ben Spies by 14 points.

Doctors say a number of other injuries he apparently sustained in the crash were either old injuries – or do not involve fractures.

The Xerox Ducati rider crashed heavily at Coppice corner and then tangled with his 1198 as he rolled into the gravel trap.

• Haga airlifted to hospital
• Get all the latest WSB news

Despite walking away from the crash with the help of the marshals, Haga was initially diagnosed with a suspected broken T8 or T9 vertebrae,  a spine that was out of alignment,  plus a broken shoulder and broken wrist.

The Japanese rider was taken by helicopter to Derby hospital for immediate treatment.

Following a further examination on Sunday night medical staff believe that Haga’s curved spine and fractured vertebrae are old injuries.

Ducati spokesperson Heather Watson told MCN: “The good news is that it’s better than we first thought. Nori has no idea where the injuries to his back are from, they could have happened years ago.

“The most serious injury is a very badly broken right forearm. They will operate on Monday. He’s complaining on a lot of pain in his shoulder but from the initial x-rays there is nothing broken.”

The 34-year-old now faces a battle for fitness to be ready for the next race in Brno in three weeks time. Although there is no way he will be fully fit, if he can get through the Czech race he will then have a further six weeks to recover before round ten at the Nurburgring on September 6.

 

Share this story on Facebook