Posted: Wednesday, 24th September, 2008 : 2:53 PM - - 8,272 Reads

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The tour points leader drew a mass of action sports fans to Mexico City’s Palacio de los Deportes for the event, eager to see him in action in the Best Whip, Best Trick and Freestyle categories.

Williams used the opening practice session to get a feel for his bike, which he described as ‘sluggish’ at the venue’s 7000ft altitude.

After making some changes to the jetting and gearing, he was back to his best and landing his customary flips and 360-degree jumps with ease in preparation for competition.

The Best Trick category was first up on Williams’ schedule, and with a successful warm-up run which included a series of four no-handed 360-degree jumps, he looked ready to set an early benchmark.

Unfortunately, the smallest of errors saw his opening jump quickly unravel, and he made a hard landing on the ground after ejecting from the bike.

Bilko landed feet first, with pain shooting through his feet and knees.

A visible break in one of his toe bones revealed just one of the serious injuries sustained.

Preferring the advice of his specialist doctor, the courageous Aussie fought back the pain until returning home to San Diego the next day, where the grim diagnosis was delivered.

The meta-tarsal bones in his toes were broken in two places, but the worst damage had been done to his knee, with a torn anterior cruciate ligament and damaged meniscus tissue.

The injury will require surgery, followed by a full knee-reconstruction, which will sideline the Victorian for a number of months to come.

“It’s disappointing not to be able to go for the Dew Tour Cup, but at the same time it’s a break my body has been asking for,” said Williams.

“I’ve had a busy schedule since December last year and have been run off my feet. Since relocating to the US I’ve injured my shoulder and knee, cracked my heal bone and now this.”

“I’ve been nursing injury at almost every event and have not had the chance to practice mid-week which has hurt.”

“A shorter Crusty tour is planned next year, so I’m aiming to get back to the US a few weeks before the competition season starts so I can be fully rested and ready.”

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