What doesn’t kill you only makes you stronger, or so the saying goes, and New Zealand’s Paul Whibley is certainly one individual who will be hoping to prove that is the case in the coming weeks.

Pahiatua man Whibley (Yamaha YZ450F) won two major national titles in the United States last season – the Grand National Cross-country Championships (GNCC) and the Off-road Motorcycle and ATV (OMA) championship as well – but this season’s defence of those crowns has been fraught with difficulty as he struggled with a hand injury sustained when he smashed into a tree during training, just before round two of the GNCC competition.

The 34-year-old former Manawatu forestry worker, affectionately dubbed “The Axeman” on the motorcycling scene, decided he would use the traditional mid-summer break – when temperatures on the American east coast make it too hot for racing to continue – to have remedial surgery done.

The Yamaha star reports that the surgery was a huge success and he is now well on the path back to achieving full fitness again.

“Five long weeks have passed since the operation and everything is going well. I have been given the green light to resume some light exercises and activity two weeks ago. This has been such a welcome relief for myself and (my wife) Katherine, whom I’m sure I was driving crazy, pacing around like a caged animal.

“Since gaining clearance I have mostly been out road cycling around the mountains and foothills in North Carolina. I have recently added some light gym work to the recovery program.

“Dr Brown’s work has healed well and I can feel some strength returning, although the first hill on the maiden cycle had me wheezing like an 80-year-old man. One aspect I have already noticed an improvement in is being able to sneeze without doubling over in pain like I was before the surgery.

“That being said, there are still areas that are a little tender and weak. I’m still a few weeks away from getting back on a bike but it can’t come soon enough.”

Whibley’s aim is to be back in action for the 10th round of 13 in the Grand National Cross-country Championships at Unadilla, north of New York, on September 8.

He accepts already that his prospects for defending the GNMCC title have now slipped beyond reach, so his focus now is building towards the start of next season.

“I’m sure I will still be a little rusty but hope to quickly get up to speed and, by the start of the 2014 season, I should be 100 percent ready for action.

“I want to shout out a big thanks to Dr Brown for his quick and accurate diagnoses and getting us in for the op as soon as possible.

“Thanks to everyone’s continued support and I look forward to being back on the track soon.”

Whibley is supported by Monster Energy, Sargent Yamaha in Masterton, MotoSR suspension, BikesportNZ.com, Graphic MX Creation and Yamaha Motor New Zealand.

© Words and photo by Andy McGechan, www.BikesportNZ.com

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