Mael
06-18-2006, 02:39 PM
Holy cow. My heart was beating a mile a minute at that first corner pile up.
Cliff notes at the bottom for those who don't like to read.
Here is the up to date info I've found on Superbike Planet.
Ducati Marlboro Team riders Loris Capirossi and Sete Gibernau had a disastrous day at Catalunya today, both men crashing out in a turn-one multiple pile-up. The crash, which claimed a total of five riders, left Capirossi battered and bruised, with Gibernau suffering concussion and a fractured left collarbone. Marco Melandri, the only other victim of the first-corner melee to sustain injury, suffered concussion and a dislocated shoulder.
Capirossi was taken by helicopter to Catalunya General Hospital, attended by the Clinica Mobile's Dr Mattioli Ruggero. He underwent scans to his chest, to check that the crash hadn't aggravated the injuries he sustained in a crash during last October's Australian GP, and also to his abdomen, because he was struck in that area during today's accident. The Italian then underwent further scans to the left of his chest which had become swollen. None of the scans gave any cause for concern and although Capirossi will remain in hospital overnight for observation, he could be fit for next weekend's Dutch TT at Assen. He sustained no broken bones in the fall.
Gibernau was less lucky. He will need an operation to fix the minor fracture to his left collarbone. Surgeons will replace a plate inserted after an earlier accident with a larger plate, but they will wait 24 hours before the operation, due to his concussion. Gibernau never lost consciousness after the 195kph/121mph accident and was pronounced okay following a brain scan at Barcelona's Dexeus hospital. Unfortunately, the ambulance taking Gibernau to hospital was involved in a minor accident with a bus just 50 metres from the hospital entrance, though he suffered no further injuries in that incident. It is too soon to say when he will be able to race again.
Cliffs:
Gibbers drifted into Capirex in the first turn and his front brake lever got jammed causing him to do a 130MPH endo.
This pushed Capirex into Melandri who in turn dominoed into Pedrosa and Hopper, DePuiniet was in there somehow too.
Gibbers fractured his color bone, concussion, and his ambulance hit a BUS on the way to the hospital.
Capirex had suspected internal bleeding and was choppered ot a hospital where everything looks ok and he should be riding in Assen.
Melandri has a concussion and dislocated shoulder.
Hopper ended up with a possible injury to his foot but still rode in the race and finished in 4th.
Pedrosa is fine, and so is Depuniet.
WOW what a race. Hopper riding injured, two americans on the podium, and Nicky pushes his lead to 20 points in the Championship. This is the first of 3 races in 3 weeks and 5 races in 6 weeks total ending with Laguna at the end of July. Gonna be lots of fun :)
On a personal note. If this incident doesn't prove how much GOOD Safety Gear is required when riding a bike then nothing does. RIDE FAST ON A TRACK. No way you could get off a bike at 130 on the street and get away with such minor injuries. WEAR YOUR GEAR!! TAKE IT TO THE TRACK!!!