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Steve Ramon sidelined with fractured neck

In Offroad

29 aprile 2009

$Steve Ramon sidelined with fractured neck$

Steve Ramon is likely to miss up to three months of world championship action after the Belgian was yesterday diagnosed with a fractured C7 vertebrae; an injury sustained through his heavy crash in the final moments of the first moto of the Grand Prix of Benelux at Valkenswaard last weekend.

The 29 year old gingerly managed to complete the second race in Holland in some discomfort and with swelling around his right eye. He went for a medical examination on Monday and scans revealed the break of the facet joint, although the extent of the damage is not placing any pressure on his spine. Another scan next week will determine the exact length and manner of treatment.

Doctors have advised the 2007 World Champion that he now faces a recovery period of three months and a possible return date - if the rehabilitation goes well and according to plan - could be the team's home event, the GP Limburg at Lommel on August 2nd. The accident certainly rules out Ramon's title ambitions for 2009.

"Of course this is a big blow for us and because of the nature of the injury we must be careful that Steve heals correctly and in a good way," said Team Principal Sylvain Geboers. "Sadly this is one of the things that can happen in our sport and we must deal with it. For the moment Ken De Dycker will be our sole rider in Portugal and Spain in the coming weeks, and unless we can find someone that will be able to get close to Steve's level, then it will be hard to temporarily replace him. I would just like to offer my sincere best wishes to Steve during his recovery; he has been fantastic for us since he joined the team and these next few events will be the first that he misses in four years as a Suzuki rider."