9-20-07 // News: Matti Lehikoinen Badly Injured In Finland UPDATED

Matti Lehikoinen just finished the best World Cup racing season of his life finishing 2nd overall in the series, right behind Sam Hill. So it's especially disheartening to report that he was just seriously injured yesterday while filming in Helsinki, Finland. The good news is that although X-rays revealed three fractured vertebrae he has movement in all of his limbs and no numbness. At this point the prognosis for a full recovery is very good. Doctors are reportedly meeting today to decide what the next course of action should be.

Martin Whiteley, the Honda G-Cross team manager had this to say: "I spoke to Matti for 10 minutes this morning. He's in a lot of pain, but he is remaining completely positive. He told me that he went to go off a very small drop off, about a meter high, on his home trails when something caught his rear wheel just as his front wheel left the drop off. The bike pitched suddenly forward and threw him over the handlebars onto his back. He knew immediately that he had suffered a severe injury, and remained still as his mate called for the ambulance. Right now all we can do is wait for more information from the medical experts, and support Matti, and his family who have been very shocked by this news."

People wishing to send Matti a message can do so through his web site www.mattilehikoinen.com. He will really appreciate hearing from everyone once he gets access to his phone and computer, but for now, the focus is on keeping him comfortable, and getting a positive prognosis.

Matti competing at the World Cup Finals in Maribor, Slovenia last weekend where he finished 2nd in the Series. Courtesy of Honda G-Cross

After his second day in the hospital, 23 Degrees-Sports manager Martin Whiteley was happy to report that doctors have confirmed there is no risk of paralysis. Today Matti was able to sit up for a short while, eat and even with the assistance of some crutches, walk to the bathroom. An endless flow of visitors as well as over a 100 text messages on his phone kept the positive vibes flowing as Matti began the first stages of recovery. Matti also revealed more details about his crash.

"I landed directly on my head, but slightly to the right. The helmet is marked on the top at the right. Also I have a big skin abrasion on my right collarbone where the jawline of the helmet cut me, that's how far over my head was. The doctors feel that on impact my spine twisted one way, and then the next, like a zig zag, and they say it's a miracle it's not a lot worse. The three vertebrae have what they call a compressed fracture. They are in the area of the spine that are level with the chest. I'm still in pain but can breathe fairly comfortably, but I want to thank everyone who has contacted me with nice messages, it makes you realise how lucky you are to have so many friends and people that care, and that makes me want to get better as soon as possible," said the Finnish Pinner, as Matti is often referred to in his homeland.

Doctors will decide whether or not to operate on Monday, then Matti will probbaly remain hospitalized for another 2 or 3 weeks followed by 3 months of rehabilitation and a few months of easy activity before he can regain his previous level of activity.

Matti gives the thumbs up! Jorma Lehikoinen