[S.K.C.]

From DIRTmag:

http://dirtmag.co.uk/news/category/events/fabian-barel-injured-at-south-african-national/dirt-1234810.html

...sounds like it happened during testing at the same track that will be used for WC #1. No idea how it happened, but healing vibes to Fabian!

 

[Inclag]

Damn, healing vibes.

The guys my favorite racer. He exudes passion and he is on it, he is, in my opinion, the fastest downhiller there is.

 

[tfree120]

No idea how it happened, but healing vibes to Fabian!

There's an article on Littermag that explains it well.
http://www.littermag.com/2009/pietermaritzburg-pre-world-cup-race-fabien-barel-injured/
Hope he heals up quick.

 

[S.K.C.]

...the track was greasy/wet, he over cleared a TRIPLE, piled into a hidden tree stump and went OTB?!!

Holy Crap...

My knees hurt just looking at those pics... damn... I agree wholeheartedly with Inclag - Fabian is not only passionate but expresses it so well. I remember someone on here posted up some of Fabian's journal entries from the WC's a few years ago... not a bad writer for a DH'er...

Get well soon Fabian!

EDIT: DonDon and Gordo - thanx for the info and pics! Any word on what the docs have to say?

 

[rayhaan]

that is some of the worst news I have read in a long time...I was really hoping Fabien would do well this year, he is such an amazing rider and person. luck just doesn't seem to be on his side?! I hope he makes a speedy recovery.

 

[Fool]

Brutal.

 

[ZenkiGarage]

Bummer!

 

[SuboptimusPrime]

I remember reading about his preparations for the World Champs as he recovered from his ankle injury...truly and inspiring read. I would think that if anyone can get back ahead of schedule, it's him. Here's to a speedy recovery.

 

[snowskilz]

was it his knee or his knee cap?

if its his knee cap(which it will probably be) he will be back racing this summer.

 

[slothy]

If he tore Ligaments, its more than likely he dislocated the knee, and will be 8 weeks to get back. I know I have doen twice and its a pain. I tore mine 6 weeks ago and the thigh muscles visually are atrophied. Im now able to squat.

Hope he misses as few WC's as possible, the guy is Class.

 

[mrpercussive]

man that sux... he's coming off from another injury when he was testing out the bike too... hope he gets better soon and fast...

 

[davetrump]

Fabian is gnarly....

Fabien Barel Says:
April 4th, 2009 at 1:21 am

Hi everyone,

Thanks for your great messages and comments.
**** happen, specially in DH. not much to say now. as the knee is really big and has lots of blud into it. you cannot see much at the scan. I have to go back on Monday to the hospital and recheck if ligaments are broken or not. I unfortunatly already broke the posterior one in 2001 in japan. so those are already gone. it is probably why the knee dislocated. we put it back in on the side of the track while warm so it should help on the recovery. we will see monday If it is doable to ride next weekend with a kneebrace. if not we will do what is needed to and come back stronger than ever.

Cheers
Fab

 

[luiz carlos]

Great still a possibility to ride next weekend....Lets see

 

[demo 9]

torn(fully) ligaments suck-have to get surgery and thats 4 months (at least for an ACL)

 

[caballero]

we put it back in on the side of the track while warm so it should help on the recovery.

ouch !

hope he will be back soon and killin' it !!!

 

[SupaTone]

cheers blud!

 

[Pashley 24Mhz]

The drive that guy has is just badass

 

[DBR X6 RIDER]

That sucks to hear and hope it's a speedy recovery! I was seeing him as a major player this season as far as the dark-horse segment of the top-10 goes...if that makes any sense.

 

[primo661]

...the track was greasy/wet, he over cleared a TRIPLE, piled into a hidden tree stump and went OTB?!!

Yes, the track was hella greasy on friday but he didn't over jump a triple, there isn't a triple on that section of the track. As far as I could figure out from my brother who got there just after it happened, he hit the first ski jump and then went for the road gap and either hit a tree stump as he landed or went off the track and hit a tree stump and crashed. I'm not exactly sure where the tree stump was though.

 

[numerik]

I hate the tracks where there are tree stumps left. You have to dig them out! You can't see them cause they get covered with dirt. Also hate it, when the organizer doesn't remove the leaves from the track, that can cover stuff like stumps etc. But then again...it's DH and you have to cope with it. I just think that safety for racers must be top priority.

 

[primo661]

I hate the tracks where there are tree stumps left. You have to dig them out! You can't see them cause they get covered with dirt. Also hate it, when the organizer doesn't remove the leaves from the track, that can cover stuff like stumps etc. But then again...it's DH and you have to cope with it. I just think that safety for racers must be top priority.

The leaves aren't on the track. They only on the other side of the tape so the stumps aren't covered unless you go off the track. I'v just heard the story of what happened just now, it was pretty much his fault as far as I can figure out. He apparently came down nose heavy and went over the bars and hooked his knee on a stump while he was sliding, thats what did the damage.

 

[numerik]

Ok. Thanks for clearing this up. Fabien is often too fast in some sections, maybe cause he is so motivated. Anybody remembers Mt. St. Anne 2003 and his final jump crash and the 2 weeks later he was 3rd in Worlds (Lugano)? Not to mention broken foot in 2007 and then he almost won the title in Ft. William.

 

[cesar_rojo]

Shame, just spoke with him now and he has confirmed me that dislocation is pretty bad so flighs back to France, so no race for him here... But sure he comes much stronger as he always does!

 

[S.K.C.]

Cesar - sorry to hear this!

Hopefully Fabian can get his knee treated and operated on soon so he can come back toward the end of the season.

Let us know how he is doing - and much appreciated for the update!

 

[Tmeyer]

That's a real bummer to here, he is one of my favorite riders on the WC right now. Heal up Fabien!!!!!

 

[nowlan]

I remember reading about his preparations for the World Champs as he recovered from his ankle injury...truly and inspiring read. I would think that if anyone can get back ahead of schedule, it's him. Here's to a speedy recovery.

Do u remeber where you read that? Id love to read that article.

 

[dhkid]

^ think its on his web site.