By last year’s account, Ian Hutchinson is the king of the Isle of Man TT, winning an historic five TT races in 2010. Unfortunately however, the English rider will have to sit out the 2011 IoMTT, as Shaun Muir Racing has confirmed that Hutchinson has not fully recovered from the injuries he sustained from during an incident in a BSB Supersport race, which was held at Silverstone in September 2010. From that incident, the 31 year-old Hutchinson has suffered from a compound fracture of the tibia and fibia, and has had 16 surgeries and skin grafts to treat his injuries.
Moving to the Shaun Muir Racing team, Hutchinson had hoped to defend his five TT wins in this year’s event, but instead will only be able to participate in the Arai Parade Lap with Mick Doohan, Nicky Hayden. and Cal Crutchlow. Hutchinson is now expecting a return to motorcycle racing later in the BSB Supersport season, due largely to his vigorous rehabilitation efforts.
“I’m gutted not to be able to compete at the TT Races this year. I’ve done everything I could to be there but I’ve just run out of time,” said a disappointed Hutchinson. “I have to listen to the advice of the surgeon and think of my long-term fitness. This has only made me more determined to get back on the bike and return to racing later this year. I’d like to take this opportunity to thank both Yamaha and Shaun Muir for being so supportive and I’m looking forward to the chance to repay them.”
“Ian Hutchinson is an incredibly determined young man,” said Dr. Krkavic, Hutchinson’s surgeon. “When I first saw him I advised him that I thought he should prepare himself for protracted rehabilitation before he could even walk without any aid. His courage and determination to win this “race” is setting new standards in Orthopaedic Trauma surgery. To get as close as he has to competing at the TT Races less than a year after his accident at Silverstone is nothing less than remarkable and I am sure he will win many more races in future.”
To help maintain his leg’s muscle mass while convalesced, Hutchinson strapped water bottles to his leg, doing leg lefts while in his hospital bed. Hutchinson also extensively with a protective metal cage on the injured left leg.
Source: Isle of Man TT
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