Just two weeks after clinching a podium spot at the French MXGP despite a painful thumb injury, Romain Febvre was compelled to withdraw from last weekend’s German MXGP.
Following further medical examinations this week, it was determined that the Frenchman will need several weeks of rest to allow his thumb to fully recover.
Febvre had been a standout in the FIM MXGP Motocross World Championship, securing six podium finishes in the first seven rounds. He was clearly one of the four main contenders in the series. The French round was a rollercoaster of emotions for Febvre—a blend of triumph and heartbreak. Despite racing in intense pain from a thumb injury sustained during a practice session, he managed to win the Qualifying race and finish as runner-up in the MXGP.
However, the brief interval between the French and German rounds proved insufficient for adequate recovery. After a valiant third-place finish in the Qualifying race at Teutschenthal, Febvre was forced to retire from the first GP moto as the pain became unbearable.
Heading back home straight away Romain, accompanied by KRT team manager Antti Pyrhönen, visited a specialist this week to have further examinations. These confirmed that the thumb had ruptured/torn ligaments, which require no operation, and also inflammation and bruising to the bone. The healing process requires time and rest, thus forcing Romain to miss the up-coming GPs.
“It’s tough to have an injury at any time of the season but this is especially difficult. It’s not a bone injury as such and there is no way to “short-cut” the recovery time. It could happen to anyone; it’s just a shame it happened to me,” Febvre lamented.
Antti Pyrhonen (Kawasaki Racing Team manager) added, “We feel extremely sorry for Romain considering how well the season and the Championship battle were developing with six podiums in seven races and a clear contender for the title. When one remembers how his strongest part of the season only started from Indonesia last year we were awaiting a decisive battle until the end. Nevertheless, we are very proud of our rider how bravely he tried to keep the dream alive, defying the injury to almost win the French GP and finish third in the Qualifying race in Germany. Jeremy Seewer will continue his consistent success and also wishes a rapid recovery to his teammate.
