Ellison set for BSB return only 33 days after broken leg

James Ellison will return to the MCE British Superbike championship this weekend at Cadwell Park, only 33 days after the Cumbrian broke his femur while racing at Brands Hatch. However, BSB race officials have taken no chance, and Ellison has only today completed a fitness assessment at Cadwell, taking his GBmoto Kawasaki team’s road going bike onto the track under the watchful eye of the BSB medical team.

Extensive hyperbaric treatment has left him back on his feet, and with only 32 points separating him from 4th in the championship, a Showdown spot is still on for Ellison; something he’s keenly aware of.

“It’s an incredible feeling to be heading to Cadwell this weekend! When I was in hospital after the crash, my surgeons told me that my season was over and I wouldn’t even be weight-bearing on my leg for 2-3 months. That would likely have been true if it wasn’t for the amazing work by the guys at the Hyperbaric chamber in the Isle of Man. They gave up their own time to open the facilities for me, even on weekends, and after 2 and a half weeks I wasn’t just walking but cycling, so I owe them a massive debt.”

Returning at Cadwell Park won’t be easy, though, with the taxing circuit set to test Ellison’s healing body to the maximum; something he’s already familiar with, returning there from a very similar injury back in 2010. 

“Unfortunately, Cadwell is the most physically demanding circuit on the calendar and up until 2009 was probably my least favourite too. That said, since then I have started to enjoy it and have actually had some good results but until we get out for first practice we just won’t know how the injury will affect me, particularly over full race distance. If we can walk away with two point scoring finishes and still be in with a shot of the Showdown, I’ll be over the moon!”