Reigning double world 250cc champion Mickael Pichon’s hopes of taking the inaugural MX GP crown came to a sudden end at the German Grand Prix, where he seriously injured his knee – ruling him out for the next five months.
He the Frenchman talks about the season so far, the extent of his injury, and his plans for the future...
Q: Mickael, how are you doing and what is the latest news?
Mickael Pichon: I’m pretty good. I’m just waiting now! The first week after the operation things were not so easy, but they never are. It took me a little bit of time to get used to the cast. It’s heavy and I have to use crutches to get around because my leg is splinted straight from the ankle to the hip. I have to be like this for another three weeks. It was important for the leg not to be moved at all because the inside of the knee was a real mess. The meniscus was broken and so were some parts of the bone. I could have used a brace but the doctors said that the leg should not be moved at all for at least one month.
I want to follow the programme and advice of the specialists exactly because I do not want to rush the recovery. Something like this can be complicated and I want it to be 100% again. I will put all the odds on my side and not risk any setbacks.
I wont be able to get on a bike for five months and if that is what it takes to return like my old self then I will wait that long, you wont see me out training in four months or before what is completely necessary.
I should be able to walk when the plaster is taken off. The hard part will be the state of the leg. A lot of muscle will be gone and the rehabilitation will be all about flexibility and strength.
I plan to take one month attending a rehab camp in the south of France where I will use a daily structured programme to re-build the leg. These situations can be hard to deal with by yourself and it helps to have someone coaching and pushing you through. I still want to make the best progress possible in the shortest time.
