Wednesday, May 16

Rash of Ankle and Foot Injuries Hits Pros

www.bmxonline.com

It seems that the "cool" injury last week involved the feet and ankles. In fact, three pros suffered injuries to that area last week.

Ryan O'Connel (Puma/Fox) broke his ankle while riding during practice last Thursday at the CFB contest.

"I was doing a 360 over the spine," said Ryan. "It was dumb. I felt like I was going to loop out, so I put my foot down and twisted my ankle around. I broke the outside bone in my right ankle. I don't remember what the bone is called, it's right next to the ball."

According to doctors, Ryan will be off his bike for a month. At the moment Ryan is in a half-cast and walking with crutches.

Troy McMurray (S&M) was the next pro to injure himself, but he was practicing for an ASR contest at the Ontario Vans Skatepark. Troy had been riding all day Saturday and doing big 360s over the large jump box. An announcement was made that there would only be a few more minutes left of practice. Troy said to himself, "one more time," and we all know what happens when that phrase is uttered. Troy overshot everything and tossed his bike while in mid-air, then landed hard on both feet. Troy rolled both ankles, but luckily neither was broken. One of Troy's ankles is purple and really swollen, which is just enough to keep him off of his bike for about two weeks.

In a non-CFB related injury, Nate Hanson tore ligaments and chipped a bone in his foot at the same skatepark where the CFB contest was held. Nate was riding at Real Ride Skatepark last Wednesday and was transferring from one quarterpipe, over a wedge, and onto another wedge. Nate got a little squirrelly and slapped his foot on the ground. He will have to wear a cast for a couple of weeks, but he plans on starting physical therapy as soon as possible. Nate said that he would be off of his bike for the "usual four to six weeks."