Lascorz has had a nasty crash testing at Imola on Monday. There's talk of fractured vertebra and possible paralysis from the neck down. He's had some bad luck over the last two seasons. I really hope he recovers from this one.
I sincerely hope the injuries are not as serious as they at first appeared but there was some mention of him having received some collateral damage to his spine during surgery.
Has there been any further updates - I know what I've read on twitter and on the web but I'd rather not speculate given the seriousness of the comments.
He seems a pretty genuine guy from what I've seen, but that's just tv. I read they're waiting for the swelling to go down to assess the damage. Fingers crossed he's all good
Not good news I'm afraid. I feel sorry for the guy. He was a real talent in the sport. Joan Lascorz breaks his silence over Imola test crash | Bikesport News | News
He certainly was - that sucks! Poor bastard. I hope Kawasaki make him a brand ambassador or something and look after the guy for the rest of his life.
The dude is lucky to be alive after thundering into a wall back first at that speed. His comments about the track are valid and so are his comments about his future. I wish him all the best and I doubt Kawasaki will sell him short
That's really sad but not unexpected. I think there are a lot of tracks that come into the category of not suitable for 200bhp superbikes. Watching BSB at Cadwell yesterday, it just doesn't look safe for big superbikes anymore. Mallory has already been dumped for top level racing and i can see a few of the BSB tracks going the same way. I wonder if moving BSB to Assen is a precursor for that.
I think this is one of the reasons why J Palmer is wanting to change the Indy layout at Brands. Basically he wants to get shot of Graham Hill bend (left and the bottom of the hill). His plan is to run the track back up the hill and put in another hairpin on the camber. Yes Cadwell is f-ing narrow, but it wont be changed as its universally loved by riders and fans alike
It's a real shame to hear of a talented rider being hurt this way. Here's hoping his recovery goes well and his prognosis improves. Track safety is an ongoing issue and will always cause heated arguments with some wanting super safe tracks and others wanting the close hemmed in feel of a track like Cadwell. I personally feel that safety needs to be carefully examined at each track ( I had a friend killed at Cadwell back in the 80's) but I don't want to lose the feel you get when close to the action. I went to Snetterton last year and thought they have done a great job at the new part of the circuit so hopefully any future safety work can follow that principle.
Cadwell will be changed/dropped when there is next a serious injury/fatality i suspect. It's a shame but the track was never designed with 200+bhp superbikes in mind.
Cadwell is so good becuase it follows the natural contours of the land. Snett was changed because they had a huge amount of space to play with and yes as you stated, it makes the circuit fantastic
I don't know anything about track design or upgrades to them but I know a little of the devastation that can scar a person's life after the trauma of an accident (vicarious, not personal experience). I hope he can piece himself back together into someone who looks forward, albeit towards an unexpected, unwanted and completely new horizon.
Sadly, I suspect I'd just say "Acaba!" (remember Canasta?) and top myself. Life's hard enough able bodied.
