Crump feeling good after surgery
The three-time world speedway champion says he is in "much better shape” after undergoing another operation on his left arm over the off-season break
Ever since Australia’s three-time world champion Jason Crump suffered broken bones and nerve damage in a crash at Belle Vue (UK) in September 2009, he has been battling to get back to full fitness.
Despite doctors predicting he would not be ready to return to the track until last June, Crump defied medical opinion and stormed to victory in the FIM European SGP at Leszno last April.
It was clear all was not well, though, and even after reaching the final in Torun and claiming second place in Cardiff, Crump opted to sit out the Speedway World Cup to undergo further surgery.
He battled on impressively in the second half of the season, winning silver in Malilla and bronze in Gorican and Vojens en route to claiming third in the world championship behind Tomasz Gollob and Jarek Hampel.
But Crump has undergone two operations over the British winter in a bid to get the arm right once and for all, and he is happy with his recovery as he eyes a fourth SGP crown.
He told Polish speedway site sportowefakty.pl: “It’s much better. In the winter break I had a second operation. The first was a week after the Grand Prix in Bydgoszcz. That was a big one – the operation lasted seven hours and I have to admit that the doctors did a good job.
"In the first week of the new year, I had to return to the hospital and undergo a second operation. Now I feel good, and my hand and arm are in much better shape.”
Crump admits he was somewhat disappointed not to be able to return to Australia over the off-season, but he admits getting his arm back to 100 per cent was his top priority.
He added: "The winter was a little ridiculous. It was the first time I have not returned home to Australia during the winter break. I stayed in Europe due to the treatment that I had to continue.
"The best surgeon was in Europe, so I had to stay here. I spent much time with him and I did a lot of exercises to strengthen the muscles.
"The physical side of things was fine. Mentally I would have rather been in sunny Australia, but the primary concern was getting back to full health.”
The opening round of this year’s Speedway World Championship will be held in Poland on April 30. Crump will be again be joined by compatriot Chris Holder, with both riders winning GPs in 2010.
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