Davies: I felt like I’d been steamrolled

Chaz Davies has reflected on his horror crash at the Rimini World Superbikes round, when the Ducati rider was run over by Jonathan Rea after falling on the final lap.

Davies was leading the race when he fell with three corners remaining, while a close-following Rea had no time to avoid riding over his rival’s back.

The Welshman was diagnosed with a fracture of the transverse process (small bony projection) of his L3 (third lumbar) vertebra, as well as closed thoracic trauma (chest injury) and contusion (bruising) of his left thumb.

However, he has conceded that he was lucky to escape even more serious injury, having initially attempted to remount his bike and finish the race.

“Without a doubt one of the most innocent of crashes yet gnarly outcomes I’ve ever been involved in,” said Davies in a personal Instagram post.

“I certainly felt the 235kg of bike + rider launch off my back and feel extremely lucky to be heading home 48hrs later without more serious injuries.”

“Adrenalin and heart tells you to get back on the bike but after a few steps and a go at picking it up I realised that I couldn’t breathe, I was seeing stars and my torso felt like it had been steam rollered.

“(Jonathan Rea) couldn’t have done anything different, apart from perhaps rolling off a tad and giving me a second or 2 lead. Seriously though, thanks to JR for looking out for me.”

Despite the severity of the collision, Davies is undergoing physiotherapy with his factory Ducati team describing him as a “good chance” to race in the next round of the championship at Laguna Seca on July 7-9.