WSB test Imola: Neukirchner hospitalised with suspected broken Vertebra

Following his crash in this morning’s session Max Neukirchner has been taken to Bologna hospital where he has been diagnosed with a broken vertebra, but it remains unclear if the x-rays are showing a previous fracture or an all new injury.

Neukirchner was riding for the first time since his horror crash at Monza ten weeks ago when he lost control of his Alstare Suzuki on the approach to the Tamurello corner.

Neukirchner and the Alstare Suzuki team now face an agonising wait over the injury and what treatment the 26 year old German will receive if the vertebra is shown to be broken.

One possibility is that the fractured vertebrae could be pinned and plated to the vertebra above and below to support it which would mean that he would be out of action for the rest of the year.

The second possibility is that he would wear a body cast restricting his movement which would mean he would be out of action for one month.