Team Alstare Suzuki rider Max Neukirchner is well on the road to recovery after breaking his collarbone in a crash caused by Carlos Checa in last Sunday’s World Superbike race in Valencia. Max was in sight of the chequered flag, when Checa tried an impossible move on the very last corner of the race.
Checa crashed and his bike took out Max and his Suzuki, but was able to restart - thanks to help from the Spanish marshals - and finish the race in fifth place. Max was momentarily trapped under his GSX-R1000 Suzuki and could only watch helplessly as the marshals helped Checa get going again.
To make matters worse, Max ended up with a broken left collarbone. After visiting the Clinica Mobile, where his broken collarbone was confirmed, he left the track as soon as he was able and flew home. He arrived in Leipzig that evening and was driven straight to hospital, where his collarbone was operated on the next day. After a successful operation, Max had a rest before leaving the hospital on Wednesday morning and was ready to start physiotherapy on Thursday.
He said: "The operation went very well and everything feels good. I had a plate and about eight screws put into my left collarbone and a day or so later I went to see my physio and began the work to get ready for Assen. On Friday morning, I was jogging for one hour at 6.30 am and then I went to do some gym and muscle work.
"I have no problems or bad thoughts about the crash. It was shit but, as they say, shit happens! Many of friends and sponsors were angry about what Carlos did and one of my friends was so angry that he damaged his TV so badly that he now has to buy a new one! I bear no grudges or bad feelings towards Checa.
"I understand he came to the garage and spoke to my mechanics afterwards and they told him that he should speak to me. He didn’t find me, so I hope he will come and say something to me in Assen. I am not thinking about what happened because I prefer to look forward and think about the next race. My mind is already focussing on getting as strong as possible for Assen."
