WorldSSP rookie Randy Krummenacher recently undertook surgery to fix a break to the rotator cuff in his shoulder, after a crash in FP2 at the Prosecco DOC Dutch Round in Assen left the Puccetti rider riding through the pain. Determined to continue until the summer break gave the Swiss rider a longer period in which to recover off-track, Krummenacher spoke to WorldSBK.com about the crash, surgery, recovery…and what the future may bring.

“The injury happened in FP2 in Assen in my first crash with the Supersport bike, in the wet,” explained Krummenacher. “It was a pretty nasty crash because it was really cold weather with no grip and it was difficult to feel the limit, so I highsided on corner entry. I didn’t really hit my shoulder but the way I hit my elbow broke the rotator cuff in my shoulder.

“I managed it through Assen, but I felt so much pain after the race on Sunday in Holland so I decided to go to my doctor on Monday,” explained the WorldSSP title contender. “They did an MRI and they saw the break, so I told them I wanted to race on for the other four races until summer and the doctor agreed. He told me that the bone was loose and could move, but I knew what physio I could do and that if I was lucky, I could continue for the next four Rounds. And I was lucky enough I could handle the pain and the power.”

Krummenacher was forced to retire from the following Race in Imola, before a top ten result in difficult conditions in Malaysia prefaced a return to the podium at Donington Park, despite the injury being exacerbated by the cooler ambient temperature.

“I gave it the maximum and took my own physio to the races which was very good,” added the Swiss rider. “It was difficult to manage the fast direction changes, and in the last two Rounds in Donington and Misano I felt like I didn’t have the power anymore to push the handlebars and to steer the bike. It was definitely time after Misano to repair it. I’m really happy to have fixed it and I have a long summer break so I can heal really well and I’m confident that I’ll be at 100% for the last four races of the season.”

With everything still to play for as Krummenacher remains P2 in the points table, the WorldSSP Race winner is ready to push in those last four Races and take the fight to the rest of the grid once again. So what is the plan after he completes his rookie year?

“I’m going to go on full attack for the last four rounds. I want to finish the season very well, I’m confident about the future too. I have two good options and although I don’t know all the details yet, everything is very positive and I have a great feeling for the future.”

Whilst Krummenacher begins an initial 6 week recovery period of doctor-ordered calm, the WorldSBK grid head for Laguna Seca for Round 9, before WorldSSP and STK1000 rejoin the fray for Round 10 at Lausitzring in Germany from the 16^th-18^th September.