Shawn Giles on track to recovery
Joe Rocket Suzuki rider Shawn Giles is home and on the road to recovery.
Team Joe Rocket Suzuki rider Shawn Giles has returned home and is on the road to full recovery after sustaining severe injuries at Queensland Raceway last month.
Giles was involved in a racing incident with teammate Robbie Bugden at the Ipswich circuit when Bugden came off his Suzuki GSX-R1000 at turn three, leaving Giles no time to take evasive action as he followed close behind. Giles ploughed into Bugden’s Suzuki, resulting in breaks to his left tibia and fibula as well as some bruising on the brain and a blood clot below his left knee.
Released from Sydney’s North Shore hospital on July 26, Giles had the plaster removed from his left leg yesterday and will begin rehabilitation in approximately four weeks. "I had screws and plates placed in my left leg so I will need some rehab to get the strength back, but I have recovered very well from my other injuries and the specialist is very happy with my progress," explained Giles. "Obviously I had some pretty serious injuries, but I have returned home now and am on the road to a full recovery."
Team Joe Rocket Suzuki had all but written off the 2008 season for Giles, but the veteran hinted at a possible return to the track later this year in what would be a remarkable recovery. "There is a long way to go yet, and how well the rehab progresses will play a big role in whether or not I ride again this year, but I want to try and make it back for the final round or maybe ride at MotoGP in October," he said. "One thing I wont do is ride unless I am 100%, it’s a long shot but if I can get the strength back in my leg we will just wait and see what happens, at the moment I am happy recovering at home.
"I owe a great deal of thanks to the Suzuki Racesafe team, they were just brilliant and have continued to lend advice and support as I recover. I also need to thank all the management and staff at Phil Tainton Racing and Suzuki Australia for supporting my wife and I during this difficult time."
Bugden, a two time NZ Superbike Champion, has fully recovered from heavy bruising and some soft tissue damage sustained in the incident and is set to compete at the next round of the Australian Superbike Championship at Symmons Plains in Tasmania on 29-31 August.
