Vince 9,459 Posted February 5, 2015 I think this is something that a lot of people haven't taken seriously enough over the years, including myself. Have seen concussed riders still racing many times and shrugged it off as being something that happens in motorcycle racing. With the benefit of hindsight it's something I now believe I got very wrong. Most times I am all for letting riders decide whether injuries are OK to ride with but anybody who is concussed isn't fit to make that decision and I now think those around them should be stopping them. I would also be in favour of a mandatory 14 day rest after any concussion and perhaps a longer spell if a rider is concussed twice within 30 days or something along those lines. There was a radio programme about it on Tuesday that I've not had chance to listen to yet but it's available here http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b05102tf 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
barncooseboy 237 Posted February 6, 2015 Thanks for the link to the Radio 4 programme. I think probably the most relevant phrase is the one where it is said that irrespective of which sport is involved a oncussion is a concussion and the item about footballer Geoff Astle who played in the days of often soaked and even frozen leather balls is both frightening and eye opening. A coroners ruling many years down the road that a death is related to someones empolyment as a speedway rider could have immense impact on the sport and measures should be put in place now to monitor both the short and long term effects of concussion in motorcycle sport. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Red Panda 366 Posted February 7, 2015 Concussion is not the most pleasant thing I have experienced..............I got told afterwards I should have been signed off for a week and not gone back to my desk job after 3 days..............(bear in mind I had only been back at work for two weeks following shoulder surgery when it happened) this happened two months ago (I was getting into our van when I keeled over backwards and hit my head on the pavement............cut the back of my head and got carted off to hospital and kept in til 4.30 the following day as had to have a brain scan) and I still have light headed moments and dizziness now.............my GP went mad when he found out what happened............especially as there are other health issues in the background which could have been affected by it............. Based on the fact I got told that for doing a desk job surely speedway riders should be given longer off a bike............. RP Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Arson fire 4,785 Posted February 8, 2015 7 days is not long enough for someone with a minor head injury and probable post concussion syndrome to recover, riders should be checked ( and tested) by a qualified proff before given the all clear to start riding again, not just envoking a 7 day period of rest.... Its very dodgy ground. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Triple.H. 1,996 Posted February 9, 2015 (edited) Didn't Tomas Topinka have 3 in around 18 months approx the difference was noticeable in his performances where he went from potential WC to a EL/PL standard rider though still bloody excellent on his day though they didn't come around as often as before. Remember David Tapp saying when he was riding in his Australian series how good and exciting he was. I would agree any rider who suffers a concussion needs clearance by a specialist before they can race again in any league in any country also including World Championship events. Edited February 9, 2015 by Triple.H. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
