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How much are you willing to suffer for your work and your passion? How hard would you work to come back from a painful near disaster that could have ended it all?
Probably the biggest fear, not just among racers but also among many who ride, is a spinal injury, one that can end our riding days forever and dramatically change our lives. It can happen to anyone, even with a seemingly minor crash, as we saw not long ago with talented American Flat Track champion Brad Baker. Even five-time world champion Jorge Lorenzo was spooked by a near miss back injury and that was a factor in his decision to retire from MotoGP.
For those reasons, it's been interesting to watch 2018 Supersport 300 World Champion Ana Carrasco come back from an injury that could have ended her riding career and so much more. She has documented that comeback on her Instagram account.
First was the announcement of Carrasco's injury in a testing crash, including the ominous facts that two vertebrae were fractured.
From a hospital bed in Portugal, wearing a neck brace, she recorded a message thanking everyone for messages of support and encouragement.
After being transferred to Barcelona, she cheered on fellow Kawasaki rider Jonathan Rea from her hospital bed there.
She shared this photo after the first operation, which was no small thing.
Then began the long process of rebuilding strength.
She hesitated before posting an X-ray, but decided to do so to give credit to the doctors who did the work.
Week six and happy to begin lifting light weights.
Just two months after the injury, working hard and getting stronger.
Last week, Carrasco had another operation to remove the implants shown in that X-ray. The screws were replaced with donor cartilage that will heal the bones. That operation was done months ahead of schedule because her injuries were healing so well.
Ana Carrasco expects to be back on a motorcycle in less than a month.
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