Fractures to ribs, finger and a damaged foot almost sideline title threat.
Kawasaki BCperformance has revealed the extensive injuries sustained by Robbie Bugden in Friday practice at Phillip Island, almost denying him of the opportunity to complete the final round.
A heavy high-side crash for Bugden in drying conditions at turn one saw him break his ribs, finger and damage his foot, it’s been confirmed by the team this week.
Despite his injuries, the gritty Queenslander managed to soldier on register 10-14 results for 14th overall on Sunday. That performance locked him into fifth in the final championship standings following seven rounds.
“The weekend started fairly well, the bike felt good straight away on-track, but it all went pear shaped in second practice,” Bugden recalled. “A small shower came over the track and as I was tipping into turn one, I didn’t pick the track was slightly wet there, because the rest of the track was dry. As I tipped in, the back of the bike came around. Turn one is a place on the circuit you don’t want to high side at 230km/h or so.
“It looks like I sustained some broken ribs, a broken finger and damaged foot. From there on in it was a battle. It was a real shame, but we tried to claw our way back. In the first race I got up to fifth or so and didn’t have the endurance to finish off well as my core was sore. I just want to thank Kelvin [Reilly], the team and every single one of my sponsors.
“It has been a really good season and we were on the podium more times than not. We were second on the leader-board at one stage and the championship was within reach, but all in all it has been a great season and it’s been a real pleasure. So now I’ll need to take a breath and see what next year holds.”
While a selection of teams will return to Phillip Island later this month for the Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix support races, Bugden’s BCperformance Kawasaki squad has opted to conclude its year at the close of the ASBK season.