Van Lagen injured in bike accident

Date published : 18 Dec 2009 - 10:01:50

Factory Lada World Touring Car driver Jaap van Lagen has broken his collarbone in a mountain bike accident.The Dutchman, who partnered James Thompson at the Russian team in 2009, was riding off-road when he was thrown from his bike while jumping tree trunks."I immediately knew something was wrong," he said.He landed on a tree trunk and had to cycle 3km to the nearest village before being taken to hospital, where x-rays revealed multiple fractures to his left collarbone.Van Lagen underwent surgery to have a metal plate inserted to support to broken bone and he is now recovering in hospital. He is confident that he will be fully fit for the start of the 2010 season in March."The operation was successful," he added. "After six weeks the bone will be fully repaired, but well before that I will be able to practice."By the start of the WTCC season I will be in great shape again."