[Update: 4:26 Eastern] KTM has confirmed that Red Bull KTM's Jeffrey Herlings suffered a broken femur Monday during a crash at Everts and Friends Charity Race. Herlings has already undergone surgery. Below is the official PR from KTM.
KTM Racing has confirmed that Red Bull KTM factory rider Jeffrey Herlings has sustained a fractured femur during a crash at the Everts and Friends Charity Race in Genk, Belgium on Monday.
Jeffrey was competing in an 85 cc race at the annual charity event hosted by Red Bull KTM Factory Racing MX2 team manager and 10-time world champion Stefan Everts.
Jeffrey sustained a clean fracture of the femur and was operated on by Dr. Driessen at the Zol Hospital in Genk on Monday evening. Dr. Driessen inserted a pin to secure the fracture in his left leg and the medical staff have advised that the operation was completely successful. They expect him to be in hospital for about three days.
Pit Beirer, Head of KTM Motorsport said Jeffrey’s job was now to rest and recuperate. “Jeffery is young and very fit and while we are all sorry that he has had this bad luck, we’re confident that he will come back and be as strong as he has already shown us he can be. We wish him a speedy recovery and look forward to having him back on the bike when he is fit and well.”
KTM Racing will continue to report on Jeffrey’s healing progress when news is available and relevant.
Herlings, who has been exceptional in the 2014 season was virtually certain to wrap up his third MX2 World title at the next round at Loket, Czech Republic this weekend. He needed to pick up just five more points than his factory teammate Jordi Tixier in the upcoming round to secure the title.
The Dutch teenager has won every GP except one so far held in the 2014 season but did not compete in Brazil because of a shoulder injury.
News broke this morning that World Champion Jeffrey Herlings was injured at the Everts and Friends Charity event. Racer X European Contributor Adam Wheeler filed this report:
Sensational news from the Everts and Friends Charity event in Genk, Belgium, today after it has emerged that Jeffrey Herlings has suffered an upper leg and hip injury after losing control of an 85cc machine as part of the novelty race programme.
The Red Bull KTM rider has won twelve from thirteen Grand Prix this year (he missed the Brazilian round due to a shoulder problem) and needed just five points more than teammate Jordi Tixier this weekend in the Czech Republic to tie-up his third consecutive MX2 FIM world title. Herlings was also set to appear at Unadilla for round ten of the Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship—his first appearance in the States.
At the time of writing there has been no official confirmation from KTM as to the full extent of the injury or the consequences in terms of recovery and whether Herlings’ season has been prematurely ended. Witnesses at the scene recount that Herlings lost control cresting a jump and caught his leg trying to correct. An ambulance was called after the champion laid screaming and indicating to the upper region of his limb; initial reports from the former GP venue alluded to a broken femur.
KTM are aware that an update surrounding their star rider will be eagerly awaited so expect a press release soon.
