By blue2bikes
December 22 2004

2004 Supercup rider Dennis Hobbs, who suffered a serious injury to his neck this year - and had to pull out of the remaining three rounds whilst still in contention - has gained a premier British Superbike championship ride with Nvidia.

Dennis had fallen at an earlier test ride at the Croft circuit, injuring his neck, but was undergoing physiotherapy treatment to ease the pain. And, although falling again at Cadwell, was declared unfit to race at the meeting.

Dennis Hobbs leads Sam Corke and James Buckingham in 2004
photo © Raceline Photography

I last spoke to Dennis at the Croft meeting this year, where he was suffering terrible pain from the neck injury, and although having raced at the meeting he underwent further investigation at Leeds General Hospital - undertaking an MRI scan.

This proved to show that he had indeed dislocated two vertebrae - C7 and C8 – in his neck, and was in fact only two millimetres from being paralysed had the vertebrae shifted again.

After a strong effort of determination, Dennis actually gained two podium positions at the Croft meeting, and decided that Cadwell was not to be, due to the pain he was suffering and the lack of movement in his neck.

Nvidia are renowned for bringing on up-and-coming talent, and I cannot think of a better rider to bring into the premier class of the BSB. His talent has obviously not gone unnoticed, and I wish Dennis and his family all the very best for the 2005 season: A well-deserved ride if ever there was one. Congratulations, Dennis.

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To buy the photograph shown above, visit Raceline Photography