Jeffrey Herlings injury update: Undergoes successful foot surgery after crash
By Team TMX on 2nd Feb 22
Red Bull KTM Factory Racings Jeffrey Herlings has completed a surgical process to fix a broken heel bone in his left foot due to a mishap while riding in Spain on Monday 31st of January.
The reigning MXGP World Champion, who claimed victory in the opening round of the Spanish national championship the day beforehand as part of his warm-up preparations for the forthcoming 2022 MXGP season, was unseated on a small and routine jump section of the former Grand Prix site RedSand MX complex near Castellon.
Herlings, 27, hit his left heel in the resulting crash. The Dutchman organised travel back to his home in Belgium and after consultation, underwent surgery performed by Dr Stefaan Verfaillie (who worked on his previous ailment in 2019) to insert several screws and a supporting plate to fix the damage.
Jeffrey, his medical advisers and the Red Bull KTM team will now oversee his recovery for a return to action when fully fit and ready to race.
"Were paying the price for a nothing crash," said Herlings. "I think I might have hit a small stone on the take-off and that put me over the bars. The impact was pretty big on my left foot and we needed to get it fixed the best we could.
"Big thanks to the medical staff for looking after me and getting my foot repaired, again! Also to the whole Red Bull KTM team: wed worked hard for this 2022 season and the goal now is to be back and winning as soon as we can."
Joel Smets, who is now team manager at Red Bull KTM, commented: "Of course, this is very disappointing for Jeffrey, the team and the championship. Trying to look at the positive side the injury is not as complicated as his foot problem in 2019.
"The operation took some time but everything went well and we hope Jeffrey can be out of a cast in less than two weeks and can even start some light training such as swimming and some other activities. Then well have to see how he recovers to plan his GP return."
Although KTM is understandably vague about his return, they do appear upbeat. However, Herlings will now miss this weekend's Lacapelle Marival in France and Hawkstone International on February 13. With the MXGP season opener at Matterley Basin just over two weeks away, the defending world champion will likely start his season with a deficit to make up.
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