Post by Deleted on Oct 14, 2009 14:42:42 GMT
PANTHERS ace Henning Bager could miss the whole of the 2010 speedway season as he fights to recover from severe leg injuries.
Bager suffered a broken tibia in three places and a broken fibia in his left leg in a horror smash during the city club's Midland League clash against Wolverhampton last Thursday.
He underwent a five-hour operation over the weekend to pin the tibia breaks and now faces a lengthy recovery process of up to a year.
Bager is determined to race again but insists he will not take any unnecessary chances during his rehabilitation.
Speaking from his bed in Edith Cavell Hospital, the 28 year-old said: "We all know the risks in the sport and what can happen when things go wrong. You always hope you will avoid the nasty crashes but sometimes you are unlucky.
"I have had a few knocks in my time and they never seem to be my fault. I guess it is just a case of being in the wrong place at the wrong time.
"That is what happened on Thursday again. I was trying to go round both the Wolverhampton riders when their guy went down right in front of me.
"I had nowhere to go. There was no way I could miss him and I think the damage was done to my leg when I hit his bike.
"It was the worst pain I have ever been in and I don't think I will ever forget that feeling. The doctors have given me a long recovery time which means I might miss all of next season.
"I can't even think about walking on the leg for a couple of months due to it being an unstable break and the pin will need to stay in there for a year.
"There is no way I will consider riding while I have the metalwork in the leg. At the end of the day, there is a life outside of speedway.
"Of course I love the sport, but at the moment my thoughts are just on the leg mending as well as possible - no matter how long it takes."
Bager is hoping to be released from hospital sometime this week, but will initially remain in England to continue his recuperation. He then plans to return to Denmark to his partner and eight-month old daughter Lena in a few weeks' time.
And Bager has issued a public thank-you for the stacks of goodwill messages and visits he has received from Panthers supporters.
He added: "I just want to thank all the people who have visited me in hospital and sent me messages of support. They really mean a lot."
Source: Peterborough ET
Bager suffered a broken tibia in three places and a broken fibia in his left leg in a horror smash during the city club's Midland League clash against Wolverhampton last Thursday.
He underwent a five-hour operation over the weekend to pin the tibia breaks and now faces a lengthy recovery process of up to a year.
Bager is determined to race again but insists he will not take any unnecessary chances during his rehabilitation.
Speaking from his bed in Edith Cavell Hospital, the 28 year-old said: "We all know the risks in the sport and what can happen when things go wrong. You always hope you will avoid the nasty crashes but sometimes you are unlucky.
"I have had a few knocks in my time and they never seem to be my fault. I guess it is just a case of being in the wrong place at the wrong time.
"That is what happened on Thursday again. I was trying to go round both the Wolverhampton riders when their guy went down right in front of me.
"I had nowhere to go. There was no way I could miss him and I think the damage was done to my leg when I hit his bike.
"It was the worst pain I have ever been in and I don't think I will ever forget that feeling. The doctors have given me a long recovery time which means I might miss all of next season.
"I can't even think about walking on the leg for a couple of months due to it being an unstable break and the pin will need to stay in there for a year.
"There is no way I will consider riding while I have the metalwork in the leg. At the end of the day, there is a life outside of speedway.
"Of course I love the sport, but at the moment my thoughts are just on the leg mending as well as possible - no matter how long it takes."
Bager is hoping to be released from hospital sometime this week, but will initially remain in England to continue his recuperation. He then plans to return to Denmark to his partner and eight-month old daughter Lena in a few weeks' time.
And Bager has issued a public thank-you for the stacks of goodwill messages and visits he has received from Panthers supporters.
He added: "I just want to thank all the people who have visited me in hospital and sent me messages of support. They really mean a lot."
Source: Peterborough ET