Fabio Wibmer Breaks Ankle & Tears Shoulder Ligament in MTB Crash

Aug 19, 2021 at 17:46
by Sarah Moore  


Fabio Wibmer broke his foot while riding motocross in November of 2020 and after a short while back on the bike, he's sidelined once again. This time with torn ligaments in his shoulder and a broken ankle. Just last week, he posted that he finally felt good enough post-injury to flip again, but now it sounds like he'll have to take some more time off the bike.

bigquotesNot the way I wanted to come back from my previous injury but sometimes things just go the other way.

I had a rough crash on the mountainbike - torn ligaments in my shoulder and broken ankle but luckily it should heal up quite fast.—Fabio Wibmer

We can't wait for Fabio to get back to his usual antics and wish him the best of luck with his recovery.

Author Info:
sarahmoore avatar

Member since Mar 30, 2011
1,350 articles
Must Read This Week
Pole Bicycles Has Filed for Bankruptcy
62841 views
Kona Bicycles' Parent Company Appoints New CFO, Intends to Sell Brand
62238 views
First Ride: The Sub-$600 RockShox Domain and Psylo Forks
45738 views
Randoms Round 3: Dario's Treasures
40996 views
Pinkbike's DH Fantasy League: Get Your Team On The Line - Fort William is in TWO WEEKS!
37686 views
Randoms Round 1 - Sea Otter 2024
36722 views
[UPDATED] Final Elite XC Results & Overall Standings from the Araxá XC World Cup 2024
36693 views
Downhill Bikes of Sea Otter - Part 1
36413 views
Sign Up for the Pinkbike Newsletter - All the Biggest, Most Interesting Stories in your Inbox
PB Newsletter Signup

58 Comments
  • 36 1
 Sitting here 5 weeks after AC surgery, recovery process is brutal, i would take a broken bone every day of the week
  • 14 1
 aw, dude. I feel ya. Hurts so bad. My broken bones were way less painful than my AC surgery. One of the worst pains I've ever experienced was coming off the heavy pain meds too early, watching a movie, and a jump scare scene making me jump and tense up my shoulder. I cried.
  • 5 1
 @rickybobby18: I separated my shoulder and ended up going to a super bowl party that night . I feel like ankle injuries have felt way worse!
  • 14 0
 @rickybobby18: and remember that moment you were on fire...
  • 6 0
 I did my second AC 6 weeks ago. Back on the bike now. The only part that doesn't suck is that my shoulder line (left and right) is back to being symmetrical!
  • 1 0
 @rickybobby18: OH yeah I hear ya - hook plate or tightrope ?
  • 4 0
 @Solorider13: The injury is not bad, the surgery however....
  • 2 0
 i'm almost a year into an ankle dislocation, ligaments suck to heal
  • 4 0
 I thought that too... crashed my foot quite baidly. Broken fibula and multiple fractures in the sheen... right above the ankle.... 2 surgeries, 3 weeks at the hospital and and about 8-15 months recovery time... the shoulder injury a few years back was less intense... every injury is different
  • 2 0
 Grade 3 AC dislocation 2 years ago on the left shoulder, left as is and not operated on. 6 weeks ago I shattered my right clavicle. Had it plated and am now busy with some serious rehab. I would take the broken bone any day of the week. My left AC is still not 100's and may never be
  • 3 0
 @wallyza:
Grade 3 AC 10 years ago. Hook plate was used to fix it, and a good infection in the wound. To this day it is far from perfect, and any strenght related excersise with narrow grip (both push and pull) are impossible.
  • 1 0
 @skiandmtbdirtbag: I have the titanium rod and all, maybe I got lucky?
  • 1 0
 AC grade 4 here fixed with dogbone here, and a plated collarbone in the other shoulder for comparison. Rehab is about the same, once inflamation is down and things are fixed mechanically you just fight the atrophia acquired in the post op.
But the pain of the injury itself... oh boy, that shattered bone digging in your flesh from the inside is slightly worse lol
Said so, I'd take the collarbone 100%. One year after the AC and I can't still sleep 'recklessly'.


Stay positive, you'll get fine.
  • 1 0
 @iiman:

AC grade 5 here fixed with tight rope and a wire. Surgery was 5 weeks ago and i feelin really good. 12 weeks in total and i will ride again, unfortunately the season is almost over then Frown
  • 1 0
 @Solorider13: You're lucky. I separated my shoulder badly as a fifteen year old, almost 30 years later, it still flares up and hurts from time to time. IMHO, the recovery process for shoulder and knee injuries is slow as all get-out and the joint is never as good as it was pre-injury.
  • 1 0
 2 years out from something impactful like this; the rehab period is long and brutal but it gets better. If you're young/active/in-shape (any 2) push whomever is managing your healthcare to be aggressive (not stupid) in your rehab. Make yourself work at this every god-damn day and you'll turn it into a victory you can be proud of. Good luck!
  • 1 0
 I throw mine in also. On my second shoulder surgery in as many yrs. First one torn everything had to use bone plugs to fix. Second one only 2 things torn. Mtb crashes both.
  • 1 0
 @danielfox: same, mine are even again too. Way better...
  • 1 0
 @dh-corn: You chose the right method! I had the hook plate and am in pain 24/7, can't sleep. Think. am going to put my surgeons face on a dart board...
  • 1 0
 @skiandmtbdirtbag: dawn, hook plate is really oldschool und is responsible for a big scar.
  • 1 0
 @rodeostu: had an cruciate ligament tear 5 years ago Operateur with the own tendon and the knee is a stable as befor, maybe even stronger. Recovery took time but all good. No problem with skiing or any other sports. Doctor was a specialist as well. Luckily my body has really strong healing vibes
  • 1 0
 @rodeostu: I've separated stuff and had joint issues and they're never as good as new. Big toe currently pops in and out on its own accord after a failed manual save
  • 1 0
 @dh-corn: All I can say is your mileage is wildly different than mine. Even with guided rehab, the knee I severely sprained a few years ago is not what it was. Similarly, the shoulder remains slightly jacked up, three decades on. Give my regards to your "orthopaedischer chirurg" - I may need to plan a German vacation around a visit to him or her.
  • 1 0
 AC reconstruction surgery is no joke. I had a grade 5 tear. I’m a year out and feeling great, trust me it gets better! Cheers bro
  • 1 0
 That really sucks, heal up. As you have seen horrible crashes resulting in injury are like a virus nobody has the cure for. You get away clean for soo long then....................
  • 36 5
 Dude is going to hate life at 40.
  • 7 0
 i tore my AC ligaments with 30 now at 43 the real fun begins, its like a timebomb.
  • 6 2
 It's why I'm now mostly reliant on e power. #crappyknees
  • 3 0
 Is he ever. I've done both ankles, one knee multiple times, both shoulders, wrists, and on and on...most of it before I turned 25. Now I'm in my early 30s and the signs are starting to show. I'm going to be one creaky, cantankerous old guy.
  • 3 0
 I predict a future appreciation of CBD gummy bears.
  • 21 0
 So he's actually sick now?
  • 8 0
 I appreciate that you are actually human, can get hurt, yet still do the amazing stuff you do, Fabio! Heal up, have some more fun, but don't feel like you need to always outdo yourself. There's a future for you beyond outdoing your previous accomplishments!
  • 7 0
 *rubs my crystal ball*
Hmmm, yeah... I see pain and suffering 20 years from now.

Seriously, though... as a Red Bull athlete he may receive top tier medical care and rehab, but his joints won't be happy down the road.
  • 10 0
 I remember when I was learning too
  • 3 0
 Wishing you well and heal up fast. That is the logic behind the extreme sports. You are injured, you heel but have - and want - to come back stronger and because you where of the bike you are not as trained any more and you risk to break yourself once again. Then, in the end, you have been off everything for a year or two an another one comes and takes your place. Sad but true
  • 5 0
 fabio is too good for his bones to keep up with him . heal up quick man!
  • 1 0
 What is it about this last year? All the big named riders are getting smashed up. 2020/2021 can sod right off!! Had ACL (MTB) and torn ankle ligaments(from football,25 years ago). Ankle always clicks now and feels the cold. At least a bone heals completely!? Healing vibes Fabio
  • 2 0
 I broke my foot a couple years ago riding moto and just separated my shoulder last week on the mtb. So I guess what I'm saying is that I'm as good as Fabio Wibmer. Just take my word for it.
  • 3 0
 Dang! Heal soon dude. Can't wait to see some fire edits coming out again soon!
  • 3 0
 Dude, bad year for MX tracks and MTB trails, I hope they get better soon. JK, best regards Fabio.
  • 2 0
 Things like this happen when you huck yourself off bridges. Amazing videos for the rest of us though. Hoping for a quick recovery!
  • 1 0
 Shattered my ankle in December 2019 to where the doctor had to piece it all back together like a puzzle. I was able to ride again around April 2020, but I will never be the same. I feel his pain and wish a speed recovery.
  • 1 0
 Dang - hopefully the injuries are minor. From personal experience, torn ligaments don't "heal up quite fast". Best of luck Fabio.
  • 1 0
 I'm 3 weeks into "recovery" from a dislocated shoulder / torn AC. i would have preferred a break, these tears take forever to heal! Speedy recovery.
  • 1 0
 Tore up my shoulder in a bike crash back in November 2020, and it's still nagging me. These injuries can be a real bitch. Heal up homie!!
  • 2 0
 Vibes my bro. It all just makes the come back that much BETTER!
  • 2 0
 Video or it didn't happen
  • 2 0
 He should think about the future and get involved with the nurse Big Grin
  • 1 0
 hopefully just the fib. i assume so, since he is putting weight on it.
  • 1 0
 Can everyone just stop getting broken!
  • 3 0
 Maybe it's time for exoskeletons?
  • 1 0
 Shit sucks! Healing vibes Fabio!!
  • 1 0
 that body cries for mercy
  • 1 0
 Hopefully you didn't break your talus.
  • 1 0
 This dude has had a spate of bad luck in the last year.
  • 2 1
 I read ligma…
  • 1 1
 Didn't we just see his "worst crash ever" with the broken foot??
  • 1 1
 Injury Thursday AGAIN?







Copyright © 2000 - 2024. Pinkbike.com. All rights reserved.
dv42 0.961846
Mobile Version of Website