McGuinness ruled out of International North West 200
Morecambe’s John McGuinness has been ruled out of this weekend’s International North West 200 road races after the Honda Racing rider crashed during Thursday’s final qualifying session for Saturday’s two Superbike races.
Having qualified in 11th place for the Supersport class on board the Jackson Racing Honda, John had set the seventh fastest Superbike time on Tuesday and was hopeful of improving upon this on Thursday.
The 45-year had just set his personal best lap of the week around the 8.9-mile circuit at 118.857mph during the afternoon when he crashed the Honda Fireblade CBR1000RR heavily half way through the 45-minute Superbike session.
The incident occurred at the fourth gear, Primrose Corner just after the start and finish and the session was immediately red flagged with the 23-times TT winner being treated at the scene by trackside medics. He was subsequently transferred by ambulance to the Royal Victoria Hospital, Belfast accompanied by his wife Becky.
Diagnosis later on Thursday evening revealed John sustained a compound fracture of his right, lower leg, four broken vertebrae and three broken back ribs in the high speed spill. In theatre, it wasn’t possible to plate the leg break and so an external fixator will be fitted tomorrow whilst he will wear a cast for up to six weeks to support the damaged vertebrae. John will remain at the Royal Victoria Hospital for a further week as part of the recuperation process.
More, from a press release issued by North West 200 Press Office:
STATEMENT FROM VAUXHALL INTERNATIONAL NORTH WEST 200 ORGANISERS RE HONDA RACING’S WITHDRAWAL FROM THE EVENT
Honda Racing have informed us today of the team’s withdrawal from the 2017 Vauxhall International North West 200 following John McGuinness’s crash during the Thursday qualifying session. We fully understand and accept Honda’s reasons for this action.
The MCUI Medical team were on the scene providing treatment to John very quickly following his crash at Primrose yesterday and the race organisers would like to thank the team for their excellent work.
John has competed at the North West 200 since 1994 and is one of road racing’s greatest ambassadors. Everyone at the event will miss his presence on Saturday and we would like to offer him a very speedy recovery from his injuries.
Guy Martin, John’s Honda Racing teammate, will continue to compete in the 2017 Vauxhall International North West 200, riding in Saturday’s Supersport event on the Wilson Craig Honda.
More, from a press release issued by Honda Racing:
Honda Racing has an update regarding John McGuinness, following his incident at the North West 200 Superbike qualifying on Thursday, May 11.
John has been diagnosed with a compound fracture to his right lower leg, while in theatre on Thursday night it was not possible to plate the leg as initially thought due to the extent of the injury, and tomorrow an external fixator will be fitted. In addition, John has also suffered four broken vertebrae and has three broken back ribs, John will wear a cast for up to six weeks in treatment for the vertebrae. John will remain at Royal Victoria Hospital for around one week as part of the recuperation process.
Honda Racing has received John’s bike from the race organisers and will perform a detailed analysis of the bike and ECU data at its headquarters in Louth. As a result, the team has withdrawn from the Superstock and Superbike races at the North West 200.
The team will next be on track at Castle Combe in a couple of weeks’ time as part of its preparation for the Isle of Man TT.
Jonny Twelvetrees, team manager:
“Unfortunately John’s incident at Primrose Hill during qualifying has resulted in quite a substantial injury to his right Tibia and Fibula. It is a real blow to John and the team, but he’s got an incredible amount of spirit and is in very good hands with the medical staff at the Royal Victoria Hospital. We now need to determine what happened and will sit out the Superstock and Superbike races, get back to Louth to analyse John’s bike and re-group ahead of our next test at Castle Combe in a couple of weeks before we head to the Isle of Man.”