Almost a week after his accident, motocross racer Brent Van Doninck is still in the Argentine hospital. “In the meantime, I've ended up in the capital, where they're going to operate on my broken femur. After that, I want to get home as quickly as possible,” the 28-year-old Honda driver says from the hospital. bed.
The MXGP Championship couldn't have gotten off to a worse start for Brent Van Doninck. He crashed his Honda in Argentina in the first round of qualifying. He suffered several injuries, including a broken femur.
“I don't remember much about this incident. It's all a blur,” responds Van Doninck from Buenos Aires, Argentina's capital.
“I'm afraid I made a mistake myself. The ring wasn't in good condition, which made me feel uncomfortable during training.”
“I'm usually into the flow, but you don't make much progress in one round,” he says with a touch of humor.
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Spending the night in a warehouse
After his fall, a great ordeal began for Brent van Doninck. “Things were primitive at the local hospital in Patagonia,” he tells his story.
“To relieve the pressure on my thigh, they put a pin hole in it – without anesthesia – and then I really suffered, taking my skin with them and I barely passed out.”
Because the local hospital did not have the proper equipment, Van Doninck was transferred to another hospital.
“I went to a private hospital and they wanted money quickly. I was initially sleeping in a warehouse there, until Hans Kurvers (Yamaha team manager, editor) gave me $2,000 so I could go to a room. I'm very grateful to him for that.”
“We are insured, but here in Argentina it works differently and you first have to cover the costs yourself,” explains Van Doninck.
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Brent Van Doninck competes in the MXGP class, the top category of the World Championship.
“Go home as soon as possible”
Eventually, Brent Vandoninck was flown to the capital, Buenos Aires. He sighs, saying: “Here they quickly asked me for $850. I had to lie on the shelf for a long time.”
There is a gradual light at the end of the tunnel. The operation is scheduled to take place tomorrow. Van Doninck: “Finally. And then I want to go home as quickly as possible.”
“Fortunately, the fracture appears to be fine. That means I can start rehab quickly.”
This year I definitely want to be at the start in Lommel.
Brent van Doninck
Last year, Van Doninck was sidelined for six months after collapsing in Latvia.
“That's why I was so sad after having a new accident. Last season I missed my home race in Lommel, among other things. This year I definitely want to be at the start.”
The Lommel Grand Prix is scheduled to take place on Sunday, July 28.
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