Laconi wants to make racing return at Misano

Regis Laconi has revealed to MCN his intention to race at the Misano round of the World Superbike Championship on 25th to 27th June.

The Frenchman was badly injured in a practice crash at Kyalami last year where he suffered three broken vertebrae and a haematoma on the brain.

Laconi was hospitalised in South Africa before returning to France, but since the start of the year has upped his training programme significantly and started competing in motocross and Enduro.

Having already completed well over 100 laps at Misano during World Ducati Week and a private test today, Laconi believes he is ready to race again.

Speaking exclusively to MCN, he said:

“I want to race here in Misano and we are making plans for this to happen. I love to race bikes and I want to comeback. For me to ride again is no problem, but if I had another big crash it could be a problem I broke three vertebrae in the crash.

“One of the vertebrae I broke before when I crashed nine years ago and now it is not so flexible. I have a good range of movement from my neck, but it’s stiffer than it used to be.”

During testing at Misano, Laconi looked fast and consistent and lapped within a second of the fastest times.

He was also keen to acknowledge the unprecedented support and backing he has received from his DFX team since the crash over one year ago.

“My team really liked what I did on the bike last year before the crash. I had a really good relationship with Ducati when I rode for the factory team, but the feeling with DFX is like family.

“When I signed for this team I had to take a big cut in wages, but I knew it would be worth it because I was back on a Ducati. If you are a privateer the Ducati is easily the best bike to have.”

“I’ve been riding Enduro, it’s been going well and it wasn’t until ten days ago that I rang the team and asked if it would be possible to prepare a bike for me for World Ducati Week. They did this and I am very grateful.”

For the first time Laconi also spoke about possible reasons for the crash that saw him high side on his out lap at Kyalami.

“For sure the crash was not normal. For me to not even make a lap there is something strange. I can not say what caused it but one theory I have is that it was a problem with my contact lens I do not know for sure but this it what I think it could be.

“Now I have had an operation on my eyes so I have perfect vision in both eyes without lenses.

“I can not remember anything about the crash – I do not remember leaving the box, the crash, the operation, my first memory is the day before I left South Africa and headed back to France – I lost almost one month of my life.”

“The doctor told me that the haematoma on my brain was serious and that only five out of ten people would have even survived.”

Laconi’s determination to return to racing is underlined by his commitment to his personal fitness. Laconi was well known for his passion for cycling, but since the crash he has upped his mileage count significantly.

“Since 5th January I’ve cycled 7000KM and done many stages of the Tour De France. My times have been good too. Cardio vascular wise I feel good on the bike.

“I was good before but with the training I am doing I think now I am maybe 20% better. I’m missing strength in my upper body and neck but this will come the more I ride the bike.” 

Laconi will still need to gain medical clearance to race again before he could mount any racing comeback.