Suzuki signing Maxwell breaks collarbone in training incident

ASBK title threat undergoes surgery in a bid to make Phillip Island test.

Image: Russell Colvin.

Team Suzuki Ecstar’s Wayne Maxwell has been operated on after sustaining a broken collarbone while training in South Australia last Sunday, now facing a race against time to be fit for the upcoming Australian Superbike Championship (ASBK) test at Phillip Island.

Maxwell, 36, was in attendance at the Tour Down Under and completing his own kilometres on the bicycle while in Adelaide when an incident resulted in the injury. He underwent surgery at The Avenue Hospital in Melbourne on Wednesday with Dr Greg Hoy.

“It is frustrating, but it is what it is,” Maxwell told CycleOnline.com.au after having the injury plated and screwed. “It’s just an accident and can always be worse, so luckily I have got good people around me. I’ve got it fixed now, so we will look to get back on the bike and then go from there.”

Maxwell is no stranger to rebounding from collarbone injuries, riding to victory at Wakefield Park in 2014 on his way to that year’s Australasian Superbike Championship. On that occasion he underwent surgery just weeks out from the series’ penultimate round to maintain his title lead.

Because of that experience, Maxwell is confident he will be able to turn laps at Phillip Island’s official ASBK test on 2-3 February. With only one week to recover, mileage may be limited as he looks forward to the opening round of 2019 between 22-24 February.

“I broke my right collarbone in 2014 and went to Wakefield a few weeks later and managed to get the win,” he added. “Greg Hoy, the surgeon, is one of the best in Australia and I’ve now got a plate and 10 screws in there, so I’m fairly confident I can make the test next week and be good to go at round one.

“I’ve only spent a limited amount of time on the GSX-R, so even though I won’t be at full pace, the more laps, the better. Pirelli have an updated tyre, so I want to get my head around that and do what I can. It might only be limited laps, but it’s still better than nothing.”

Maxwell was one of the major movers of this year’s silly season, transferring from Yamaha Racing Team to Suzuki’s factory-supported outfit alongside triple ASBK champion Josh Waters and satellite entry Alex Phillis aboard GSX-R1000R machinery.

Source: CycleOnline.com.au

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