After avoiding injury for most of his career, luck has not been on Nico Vouilloz’s side recently. Following a break of several months
(scaphoid fracture and operation for crossed ligaments on his left knee) at the end of the 2013 season, the Lapierre rider had recently restarted training. Unfortunately, a recent fall has put an end to his training. This time it was the turn of his right knee to suffer.
Nico at speed racing the Val d' Allos EWS. Nico had knee surgery last season, which took him out of contention near the end of the season. With luck, Nico will be back in action by race two of the EWS this year. - Lapierre photo
| I hurt myself a fortnight ago and was operated on last week. It was during one of my first MTB rides in five months. I was on an XC bike and I lost balance in a slow technical section, catching my shorts on my saddle. I fell on the downslope on the opposite side to that which had been operated, my leg tensed, and craaaack! - Nico Vouilloz |
The verdict, says Nico: "internal lateral ligament partially torn, meniscus damaged. As I already had no crossed ligament, all medical experts advised me to have this added on, as I wouldn’t get very far with both ligaments missing! I therefore decided to go for an operation with a synthetic ligament, that should have a fast recovery, we’ll see."
Nico will therefore not be present at the first round of the Enduro World Series in Chile, but if his recovery time is fast, will be at the 2nd round in Scotland.
Once again, the racer and Lapierre R&D team member had this competition as his priority. No longer able to aim for the overall win of the EWS, his intent is to be back on top form for the end of the season and to participate, as always, in the tests and development of Lapierre bikes.
Whilst waiting for better days, it’s rest and recuperation for Nico. You can support Nico on his facebook page : https://www.facebook.com/nicovouilloz
Good luck Nico !
"I hate chili powder" - Tuco Salamanca
Enduro: Racing fatigued on tracks you havent trained on much, but just as fast as a dh bike and on a lil bike with half the amount of safety equipment on your body.
DH: Racing just as fast enduro, mind you guys are pulling a couple bigger lines but on tracks that are well practiced, on a dh bike, and with more safety equipment on. For safety reasons, I am sticking to dh!
If you mess up on tech sections, since you don't have any forward momentum, you can be bounced and then tip over into not only an undesirable location but one with hazards you never thought to look at thus not knowing what you're crashing into. Hell, the only time my shin has had a hole drilled into it aside from pedals, was falling on a switch back going uphill with a tech. and dry/slippery rock section. It's not hard if you get the right line but that ride I didn't and simply tipped over without getting the foot outta the cleat in time. Shin landed on top of a rock.
Stupid dum dum whimpy human legs.
no hard feelings, it just made me giggle a bit
Like an alien might HAVE??!!!!!
takes 6 months to be able to play ball games like football again..bicycle riding should be possible earlier if you dont consider crashing ;-)
i myself had body own ligaments used for replacement. 8 years ago synthetic ones weren't a good choice dont know where they are now with that.
so Nico get well soon, be patient. i know this injury sucks camel d1ck!!
Gonna have to buy skinny jeans and Chuck Norris jeans so I can fit it over them instead of stuffing it inside regular denim.