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A day of mixed fortunes for Supersport’s Keohane

Richard Keohane
By Carly Rathmell
March 15 2005
Richard Keohane suffered mixed fortunes at his first race at the weekend, at Snetterton Race Circuit. After being placed eighth on the grid for his first official Supersport 600 race, Keohane soon settled into a rhythm and by the second lap he had the lead.
Looking comfortable and confident, he soon made a few heads turn as he completely dominated proceedings. Taking the first race win of the year, he was eager to get back out for the second race. However, things were not to go Richard’s way. An early accident in the race saw the riders being held for 15 minutes at the previous corner, and they were allowed a one-lap warm up before the restart. As he approached Russell’s chicane, he was sitting comfortably in second position. As he exited the left hander, he was thrown out of his seat and his leg was caught underneath the bike.

It was a sad end to what looked like was going to be his second race win of the day. With the adrenaline still pumping, Keohane attempted to stagger from the track. He was later taken to hospital in Norwich, and has been diagnosed with a broken tibia and fibula, just above the ankle on his right leg.

It was an unfortunate accident for the rising star but he still remains confident. Speaking from his hospital bed, he said, “I admit it was my own fault, but the way I landed just complicated things more than what I had expected. I was over the moon with my first race win and was feeling very comfortable in the second race. As they stopped the race to sort out the earlier accident, I lost all the heat from my tyres. I was on the gas a little early exiting the chicane, and my bike was having none of it and threw me over the top. There are only two left handers on the circuit and that was one of them.

“I’m so gutted to have broken my leg, but it’s not going to put me off. It’s a very similar situation to John Reynolds, and he’s hoping to be back at Brands next week after six weeks off. I’m looking at being out for about nine weeks at the worst. I’m hoping that this will be my only crash for a long time, and I need to learn how to bounce right. The first race was fantastic, and I’m made up with the win. I can’t wait to get back on my bike and hopefully win again.”

All of Richard’s sponsors, friends and family wish him a very speedy recovery, and hope to see him fighting fit again soon.

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